Translation summer school for young people returns in July
EU-backed TraTra translation summer school will introduce different areas of translation
Young people interested in languages and translation can now apply for the fourth edition of TraTra, a free summer school organised by the European Commission's language office in Malta.
The four-day course will run from July 14 to 17 at Europe House in Valletta and is open to anyone born between 2006 and 2009 with at least an O-level qualification in both Maltese and English.
The programme introduces participants to different areas of translation through talks by professional translators working in fields including the EU institutions, literature, poetry and audiovisual media. It also includes practical translation exercises and individual practice.
A group photo of participants in a previous edition of the event."Translation is at the heart of the European project, and with TraTra, we wanted young people with an interest in language, irrespective of what they're studying, to try their hand at translation away from the pressures of exams or competitions," programme coordinator David Schembri said.
"Over the years, we've also seen friendships form thanks to the programme, which is certainly a welcome bonus."
The course will be led by Schembri, the Directorate-General for Translation's representative in Malta, together with David Aloisio and Pat Vella Briffa. Poet and translator Antoine Cassar is among the guest speakers.
The initiative was first held in 2023 and forms part of the European Commission's outreach work through its Directorate-General for Translation, which translates around 2.5 million pages each year across the EU's 24 official languages. The directorate also organises the annual Juvenes Translatores competition for sixth-form and secondary school students.
Participation in the summer school is free, but registration is required. More information and applications are available on the European Commission Representation in Malta website.