Aptitude Tests in Translation
Translator profile
In order to be eligible for admission to the programme candidates must
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Hold a recognized University degree or equivalent, including people with
science degrees or non-language arts degrees relevant to EU policies.
Have an excellent command of their mother tongue (A language - Maltese)
over a wide range of topics and registers. *See the definition of A, B and C
languages given below.
Have a full understanding of their B (English) and C languages
(English/German/Italian/French/Spanish) across the full range of registers.
Have a good overall knowledge of international affairs.
Be well-informed of the economic, social and cultural background of the
countries in which their working languages are used.
Translators are required to translate political, legal and administrative texts, and web
texts — usually into their main language. These are frequently complex and
encompass all the European Union's areas of activity (economic, financial, scientific,
technical, etc.).
Basic requirements
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an ability to grasp varied and complex issues, react swiftly to changing
circumstances, manage information and communicate effectively;
initiative, imagination, and intellectual curiosity and motivation;
a capacity to work consistently and under pressure — independently and as
part of a team — and to fit into a multicultural working environment;
an ability to maintain the self-discipline required to work in a large publicservice organisation.
Language skills
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perfect command of all aspects and stylistic levels of the mother tongue/main
language.
thorough knowledge of two or more official EU languages — at least one of
which must be English, French or German.
Thematic skills
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familiarity with economics, financial affairs, legal matters, technical or
scientific fields.
Translation skills
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a capacity to understand texts in the source language and to render them
correctly in the target language, using a style and register appropriate to the
purpose of the text
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a capacity to research topics and terminology quickly and efficiently — in
both source language and target languages.
a capacity to master computer-assisted translation and terminology tools, as
well as standard office-automation software.
The aptitude test consists of a three hour paper. Candidates are required to translate
an English text into Maltese (50 marks) and a Maltese Text into English or a German,
Spanish, Italian, French, Arabic text into Maltese (50 marks).
*Languages
A: The translator’s native language.
B: A language other than the translator’s native language, of which she or he has
excellent command and into which they work from one or more of their languages.
C: Languages, of which the translator has a complete understanding and from which
he or she works.
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