Polyglots start the European Day of Languages' celebrations

To celebrate the 2008 European Day of Languages the Commission invites journalists to meet its polyglots today. On 26 September further celebrations will be held in Paris, Brussels and Member States. Commissioner Leonard Orban will take part in the conference "États Généraux du Multilinguisme" in Paris. In Brussels there will be a conference on translation and a "Language Festival" in St Josse, home to speakers of many different languages.

"The European Day of Languages is an annual opportunity to show our commitment to building unity and to lead the way in strengthening our intercultural bonds through mutual language learning and understanding", said Commissioner Leonard Orban.

Following the 2001 Year of Languages, September 26 was designated as the European Day of Languages by the Council of Europe and the European Commission. This was done to celebrate the cultural heritage that forms an integral part of the languages of Europe.

Meet our polyglots, Brussels Tuesday, 23 September

The Commission invites journalists to meet some translators for whom learning and practising many languages – in some cases over 20 - has not been a problem but a delight. In addition to sharing the language learning experiences of these 'polyglots' the occasion should evoke discussion on, for example, what inspires one to learn many languages, what methods are used and whether there is a limit to the human capacity to learn languages. To be held at 12.30, Berlaymont Press Room

The European Day of Languages, Friday, 26 September

Paris: Commissioner Leonard Orban takes part in the conference entitled "États Généraux du Multilinguisme", organised by the French presidency at the University of the Sorbonne.

It is a forum aimed at discussing the policies of the EU member states on strengthening their citizens' language abilities both at school and through life-long learning, emphasising multilingualism's contribution to development, progress and cohesion.

http://www.ue2008.fr/PFUE/lang/en/accueil/PFUE-09_2008/PFUE-26.09.2008/etats_generaux_du_multilinguisme_7216

Brussels: A conference "Translation is our business" will be held (at 15.00, Charlemagne building, Room S3) addressing the role and challenges of translation in an increasingly multilingual environment, touching on its contribution to intercultural dialogue and European integration, as well as its costs and benefits. It targets those people interested in and dealing with languages in their work.

A "Language Festival" focusing on the Commune of St Josse, where there is a multitude of languages spoken. It features language based computer games, food tasting, films and interactive games with prizes. There will also be live music, documentary films and visits by local schools.

Member States: Language activities are also being organised by the Commission's representations in various EU Member States

Websites:

Commissioner Orban: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/orban/index_en.htm

Languages Portal http://europa.eu/languages/en/home

DG Translation (DGT) http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/translation/index_en.htm

DG Education and Culture (EAC):
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/index_en.html

Day of languages' activities:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/languages/eu-language-policy/doc2836_en.htm

Council of Europe http://www.coe.int/