Language learning is our priority
DG Interpretation interpreters' top priorities for professional development are:
- learning a new language (or language acquisition)
- maintaining a language already mastered at a high level of proficiency (or language maintenance).
To continue meeting the demand of its customers, DG Interpretation must anticipate the turnover of its staff interpreters (for example, through retirement) and compensate the resulting loss of language coverage.
Therefore, every 3 years, some languages are identified as learning priorities for each language unit. These priorities are based on:
- the language combinations of the current staff interpreters
- anticipated changes to staffing following departures
- gaps in meeting assignments
- the level of interpretation demand that is satisfied per language
Language acquisition
Passive languages
A language from which an interpreter interprets is called a passive language. The learning path for acquiring a passive language depends on the language in question and the interpreter’s existing knowledge of it. It can last between 2 and 7 years (for a complete beginner).
DG Interpretation organises new language courses for priority languages if there are enough eligible candidates. Alternatively, interpreters can use a ‘training voucher’, which enables them to follow private lessons and have their expenses reimbursed up to a certain amount.
In addition to courses and training vouchers, language learners can participate in immersion programmes in the country where the target language is spoken (language stays). The number and length of these immersion periods depends on the language in question.
Retour languages
Interpreters can also interpret into a non-native language of which they have an excellent command.
The learning path for a retour language depends on various factors. It may include language improvement courses to prepare for retour training, retour exercises and immersion periods in the country where the target language is spoken. These activities could be followed by a test to add the retour to the interpreter’s language combination.
Language maintenance
It is crucial that interpreters maintain the excellent language skills they have acquired. To help, DG Interpretation offers language enhancement courses outside Brussels (also known as ‘refreshers’) in the country of a particular language. Interpreters can also attend intensive and mini-intensive courses, idioms classes, retour maintenance courses and domain-specific courses in different languages.