Translating for EU institutions

Abstract

Over the past ten years, there has been a steady increase in demand for translation and a reduction in internal staffing levels (Strandvik 2017) at the European Union (EU) institutions. As a result, most institutions have been increasingly outsourcing part of their production to contractors, selected and managed in line with public procurement rules. In order to ensure high standards, the external contractor selection process is rigorous, and so are the quality assurance measures implemented and the continuous support offered to contractors through clear guidelines and training (DG TRAD 2020, 23), as well as seminars, webinars, and even in-situ visits (DGT 2018, 12). Given the complexity and significance of external translation, the present chapter explores the requirements on the part of external translation providers, i.e. contractors, through a study of the tendering procedures at the EU institutions and the quality guidelines provided. It also attempts to identify the challenges they face and the needs they have in terms of their continuous training; findings are based on two interviews carried out in March 2022 with two external translation service providers that provide translations for several EU institutions. The conclusions that can be drawn point to the super-role of EU style guides and feedback provided in the form of evaluation reports and also to the need for tailored training both at an academic level and at an institutional level.