Why does the European Union use so many official languages? The EU is a democratic organisation so it has to communicate with its citizens in their languages, not to mention the Member States' governments and civil services, businesses and other organisations all over the EU. The public have a right to know what is being done in their name and must also be able to play an active part without having to learn other people's languages. And the European Union passes laws which are directly binding on everyone in the EU, so everybody in the EU, both citizens and the courts, must be able to understand them, which means they must be available in all the official languages.      >>>

    The spelling mantra "i before e except after c" is no longer worth teaching, according to the British government.
    Advice sent to teachers says there are too few words which follow the rule and recommends using more modern methods to teach spelling to schoolchildren.
    The document, entitled Support for Spelling, which is being distributed to more than 13,000 primary schools, says the rule "is not worth teaching" because it doesn't account for words like 'sufficient,' 'veil' and 'their.'      >>>

    The Commission's proposal for a new Eastern Partnership represents a step change in the EU’s relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. This ambitious Partnership foresees a substantial upgrading of the level of political engagement, including the prospect of a new generation of Association Agreements, far-reaching integration into the EU economy, easier travel to the EU for citizens providing that security requirements are met, enhanced energy security arrangements benefitting all concerned, and increased financial assistance.     >>>

    Pupils from across the EU will today (27 November) compete for EU-wide translation prizes in a competition designed to promote the profession among young people in Europe.    >>>

    On 5 November 2008, the Translation Centre organised a training dedicated to the three pillars of the European Union – the Community domain, Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Justice and Home Affairs.     >>>

    On October 10, with a view to stress the importance of translations as means of promoting civilization and interstate relations, the Translation Centre of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia organised an event dedicated to the St. Translator’s Day.     >>>

    The international calendar, which is rich in ‘red-marked’ days devoted to different professions, includes also a Translators Day which is internationally celebrated on 30 September, whereas in Armenia on the second Saturday of October.     >>>

    Translation is considered to be a creative profession and persons involved in the translation process must be well aware of multiple spheres of the science and social life, thus constantly improving their professional skills and widening their outlook. These are not just words for the staff members of the Translation Centre… these are everyday efforts and scrupulous work to achieve accurate translation and revision of texts related to different spheres. That is the reason why the Translation Centre focuses on the improvement of the professional competences and knowledge of its translators, revisers and legal reviser-lawyers.     >>>

    The idea of establishing a translation centre dates back to 2006 when the Government of Armenia approved the National Programme for implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the European Communities and its fifteen Members States which was signed in 1996 and entered into force in 1999. The National Programme envisages large-scale reforms, and approximation of the Armenian legislation, institutional setting and policies with the EU standards underlie these reforms. Successful implementation of these reforms requires the EU legislation to be available in the Armenian language.     >>>