Trade group works to promote language diversity

The Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) is to work with the EU on three linguistic initiatives.

The focus for these initiatives are respectively, translation technology innovation, automated translation, and advanced translator education.

Contribution to the projects from the EU will be delivered under Horizon 2020, the EU’s next research programme. Languages have been singled out as an important priority for research funding. A current initiative in Europe is the QT LaunchPad programme. It looks to improve translation technology through industry collaboration with research centres.

Alongside the co-operation, the GALA has endorsed the European Master’s in Translation – an EU partnership that looks to establish a quality level for university translation programmes.

Commenting, GALA’s CEO, Hans Fenstermacher said: “Understanding and incorporating the professional language industry’s point of view into Horizon 2020′s linguistic initiatives will play a critical role in building the next generation of multilingual infrastructure in Europe

“With 24 official languages in the EU and countless regional languages and dialects to consider, we commend the EU for its efforts to promote multilingual access and equality.”