Multilingualism Day is your opportunity to peek behind the curtain and see how the European Parliament works in 24 languages. You can meet European Parliament interpreters and translators, get a glimpse into their work and set foot inside the Hemicycle plenary chamber itself.
Multilingualism ensures that all Europeans can use their own language to follow the work of their democratic representatives in the world’s most multilingual parliament. Linguistic and cultural diversity is one of Europe's strengths and is woven into the European treaties as a core value. As the linguist and philosopher Umberto Eco said, ‘the language of Europe is translation’. Multilingualism Day is your chance to see this language in action.
You can take part in Multilingualism Day 2019 at the House of European History and European Parliament Hemicycle.
House of European History
History of language diversity (45-minute tour)
Join one of the tours that will take a look at the history of languages in Europe, using anecdotes and objects in the exhibition to show how languages have shaped its rich diversity.
Register: email@example.com or on the day at the museum desk.
Schedule: English 10:00, German 11:00, French 14:00, Dutch 15:00
Explore multilingualism with fun activities.
Citizens’ language in text, audio and video workshop: Discover the importance and impact of multilingual communication
Photo booth: Get your multilingualism day souvenir
Audio booth: See how the European Parliament records podcasts and record your own
My House of European History recording corner: Take a seat and add your European story to this collaborative history project
Kids’ corner: Face painting and take home a (temporary) tattoo
Interpretation booths: Try interpreting into your mother tongue in a real interpreters booth
Translation games: Test your language skills in a fun way
Translation & clear language workshops: Become a translator working on a real text. Registration at entrance required
Experience the European Parliament Hemicycle (10:30-17:30, every 30 minutes)
Discover where debates and votes take place with presentations, including Q&A. 4th floor. In Dutch, English, French and German.
Talks with translators and interpreters
Dive deeper into translation and interpretation with 30 min talks and Q&A sessions. All talks interpreted into Dutch, English, French and German.
10:30 – 11:00: Q&A with translators: tips and tricks of the trade
11:00 – 11:30: How to become an interpreter
11:30 – 12:00: The future of translation
12:00 – 12:30: Interpreting tricks of the trade
12:30 – 13:00: European Parliament interpreters and translators working for you
14:30 – 15:00: How to become an interpreter
15:00 – 15:30: Clear Language, clear results
15:30 – 16:00: Interpreting tricks of the trade
16:00 – 16:30: Q&A with translators: tips and tricks of the trade