La nécessité des traductions. Translating legislation in a young parliamentary regime. The case of Belgium (1830–1895)

Abstract

Abstract In order to better understand the features and purposes of translation in multilingual states, this study looks at nineteenth-century translation policies in Belgium, a young state (founded in 1830) with liberal ambitions and a multilingual population. More specifically, it deals with the parliamentary debates on the translation into Flemish of the Bulletin des Arrêtés, Bulletin Officiel and Moniteur belge, the consecutive official journals for the publication of new legislation. Until now, language history and language policy researchers have paid too little attention to the key role played by translation and the many aspects of translation policies to consider (such as spelling, timing, translators … ), matters that go to the heart of identity issues in politics and that, consequently, aroused great emotion in some Members of Parliament (MPs).