Greece Seen Through the Medium of Translation
At a press conference held in Thessaloniki in October 2017, the Panhellenic Association of Translators (PEM) presented how Greece is seen through the medium of translation in the context of bilateral relations. The media were also briefed about the heavy price Greece pays because of the lack of a national translation policy.
The need for a national translation policy
The speakers at the press conference were:
- Dr Henry Liu, 13th President of the International Federation of Translators (FIT-IFT) and honorary advisor to PEM.
- Fotis Fotopoulos, President of PEM.
- Maria Mousafiri, member of the Board of FIT Mundus (2014-2017) and honorary member of PEM.
In short, PEM told the assembled journalists that:
- Thousands of good jobs could be created in the translation and interpreting sectors.
- The use of Modern Greek is a strategic advantage for Greece in the 21st century. It needs to be preserved and fostered as a working language.
- Improving Greece’s international position means bolstering its complement of translators.
- The country has skilled personnel in the international trade and technology sectors, but that advantage is being cancelled out by the lack of a national translation policy.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Translation Service operates as a state within a state, using its own network of “associated translators”.
Download and read PEM’s press release about how Greece is seen through the medium of translation (only available in Greek).
