DGT podcast: Languages and Technology

How does a European Commission document make its way from an initial draft to 24 equally valid language versions?

In this episode of DGT podcast: Languages and Technology, Anna Holmén goes behind the scenes of the European Commission’s translation workflow with Ivana Zeljković, Head of DG Translation’s Demand Management Unit, and Iva Vatova-Ivanova from the same team.

They explain how DG Translation forecasts upcoming work, prepares complex translation packages, coordinates with Commission departments and agrees deadlines that allow EU legislation to reach citizens in 24 official EU languages.

The conversation takes us into the engine room of multilingualism: from terminology work and language technology to lead translators, editing, outsourcing and the systems used to manage urgent requests. We also hear how DG Translation achieves deadline compliance of over 99% and why human expertise, coordination and a passion for languages remain essential even as workflows become increasingly automated.

Tune in for a rare look at the people and processes working behind the scenes to make the EU’s 24-language system work every day.

Read more on our website: Translation at the European Commission - Multilingualism, translation and language-based AI services

Transcreation sits where translation meets copywriting, creativity and cultural adaptation. In this episode, Anna Holmén talks to Italian transcreation expert Claudia Benetello about why human nuance, humour, voice and individual flair still matter in a world increasingly shaped by AI – especially in marketing and creative language work.

Claudia will speak at the 2026 Translating Europe Forum. Register for #2026TEF

Multilingualism is a democratic right and a core part of the EU’s identity. Christos Ellinides, Director-General for Translation, talks about what this means in the era of AI – and what we do to safeguard EU language diversity. Why is DG Translation a good place to develop AI tools? What is the role for linguists in all this? And are we really building an LLM of our own? Hear the answers to these questions and many more. 

If this whets your appetite, find out more on our website Multilingualism, translation and language-based AI services

Anja Filko and Erik Oldenburg join Anna Holmén to speak about their unforgettable experience as winners of the translation contest Juvenes Translatores, Anja for Croatia and Erik for Germany. We hear about their journey - from being signed up for the contest by their teachers, to translating a text at the same time as thousands of other young Europeans, and finally receiving their prizes in an award ceremony in Brussels for the 27 winners. The experience profoundly changed their view on what translation is - and on what Europe is.

Whatever our Juvenes Translatores winners decide to do in life, they remain ambassadors for translators. Listen in to hear their best tips on how to approach your first translation!
 Find out about the contest and how to take part

Music: Title:Days Past. Author: In Closing. Source: In Closing - Days Past (auboutdufil.com). Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.fr

Dans cet épisode du podcast Langues et technologie de la DGT (Commission européenne), Thérèse Fayt reçoit Najib Bauwens - alias Monsieur Nash - professeur de néerlandais et créateur de contenus pédagogiques. 

Après plus de dix ans d’enseignement dans le secondaire à Bruxelles, il a développé une large audience sur les réseaux sociaux grâce à des vidéos pédagogiques courtes et créatives, dont un rap sur les verbes irréguliers devenu viral.  

Un épisode inspirant pour les enseignants de langues, les apprenants et toute personne intéressée par le multilinguisme et l’avenir de l’enseignement des langues.
🎧 À écouter aussi : Languages: your bridge to the future
📚 Découvrez des ressources pour les enseignants de langues

Music: Title:Days Past. Author: In Closing. Source: In Closing - Days Past (auboutdufil.com). Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.fr