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Latin from UM to the European Parliament: The Significance of Ancient Languages

On Tuesday 17 March 2026, Andrew Debono Cauchi, a Research Support Officer and doctoral candidate within the Department of Classics and Archaeology, delivered a half-day training seminar to an international audience of translators working within the European Parliament.

The principal aim of this seminar was to demonstrate that Latin, despite being an ancient language, remains significant and impactful in our contemporary world. In order to fulfil this aim, the training seminar was divided into two parts.

The first part intended to show the importance of Latin in the daily practice of European Parliament translators. Participants first discovered how ancient Latin texts articulate problems found in translation practice and offer practical tips to resolve these problems. For example, in the treatise 'On the Purposes of Good and Evil', the Roman philosopher Cicero explains his method for translating from Greek into Latin.

Building on this argument, the seminar then explored how etymology, i.e. the study of the origin of words, can provide insights on the transfer of words from Latin to modern European languages such as German, Italian, and French. This discussion focused particularly on how the classical historical context allows for a better and more precise translation of legal and scientific terms derived from Latin.

The second part consisted of a practical introduction to Latin grammar and basic vocabulary. Throughout the session, participants were immersed directly into the ancient language through interactive reading and writing exercises. From filling in the blanks with verbs and nouns to converting Roman numerals, Latin was encountered as a dynamic living language.

The training seminar concluded with some multifaceted reflections on the importance and impact of Latin. Some participants noted that the introduction to Latin enriched their insights, while others renewed memories of studying Latin in their school days. On the whole, the seminar proved to be an informative and enjoyable experience for both the participants as well as the speaker.

Mr Debono Cauchi thanks Dr Carmel Serracino, Head of Department and Classics Coordinator in the Department of Classics and Archaeology, for his support in organising this seminar. The Department also thanks Mr Geert Hellemans for moderating the seminar and Mr Reece Delia for his enthusiasm in making this initiative possible.

This training seminar was organised by the Department of Classics and Archaeology within the Faculty of Arts on the invitation of the .