An upgraded and improved Interpreters and Audiovisual Translation Laboratory was inaugurated at the University of Malta on Tuesday 6 February 2024, to better train students for careers in interpreting and audiovisual translation.
Present for the inauguration were the the UM Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Dominic Fenech, the Head of the Department Translation, Terminology & Interpreting Studies, Prof. Sergio Portelli, members of the Estates, Facilities & Capital Development Directorate who were integral in this process to reach completion, as well the Director of Marketing, Communications and Alumni, Mr Pierre Cassar, all members of the Translation, Terminology and Interpreting Studies department and the current Interpreting students.
The event was also attended by relatives of the late Prof. Joseph Eynaud, the founder of the Department of Translation, Terminology & Interpreting Studies at the University.
The Interpreters’ Lab, situated on level -1 of the Gateway Building first opened its doors in 2006. In 2020, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Interpretation, DG SCIC, had financially sponsored the Department to purchase new audio-video equipment to facilitate online and remote interpretation. DG SCIC also co-funded the latest upgrade of the interpreting equipment. The enhanced facilities feature six double sound-proofed conference interpreting booths, each equipped with consoles, monitors and headphones, as well as delegate desks.
The lab's scope has recently expanded to include practical training in audiovisual translation, another postgraduate specialisation within the same department. This specialisation stream covers revoicing, captioning, and various accessibility modes for linguistic and sensory access to media and audiovisual content.
During the inauguration, the current coordinator of the Interpreting Programme at UM, Ms Amy Colman, and the coordinator of the Audiovisual Translation specialisation stream, Dr Giselle Spiteri Miggiani, expressed their excitement about the “invaluable opportunity these enhanced premises offer future interpreters and audiovisual translators to connect with communities while mastering transferable skills across multiple industries that are very much in demand”.
Ms Amy Colman also announced news of a redesigned Interpreting course programme that will kick off next academic year.
Prof. Vella, on the other hand, spoke about the legacy built by Prof. Eynaud, whose true love was interpreting, and who made it one of his life’s missions to keep the lab endowed with the latest equipment, always for the benefit of the students. He also congratulating the team on a successful refurbishment and augured them well on their endeavours.
Students interested in pursuing a degree in Interpreting are invited to the Open Days, which will be held on 13 and 14 May, both days from 14:00 to 16:00, at the Interpreters’ Lab.
For more information about the Interpreting programme and this upcoming event do not hesitate to contact Ms Amy Colman via email. For more information about the Audiovisual Translation specialisation within the MA in Translation and Terminology, which will be offered again as from October 2024, please contact Dr Giselle Spiteri Miggiani via email.
