Law, Language and Translation

Location
Arts Building Room 201
Dates
Wednesday 29 November 2017 (13:00-14:00)
Photo of the University Crest

BLS Research Seminar 

Anthony Arnull“The Working Language of the CJEU: Time for a Change?" 

The CJEU is equipped to hear cases in 24 different languages.  Its case law is available in 23 of them.  However, its working language has always been French. This means that, whatever the formal language of a case according to its Rules of Procedure,  the Court works from a case file of documents in French, the Court’s deliberations are conducted in French and its judgments are drawn up in French. What effect does the dominance of the French language have on the Court’s legal method? How does it affect the deliberations of the Court?

Karen McAuliffe, "Translating Ambiguity: can thinking about language and translation change the way we think about (EU) law?"

Using the Court of Justice of the European Union as a case study, and translation as a lens through which to view the case law produced by that court, I consider the value of interdisciplinary work in developing a more holistic understanding of multilingual EU law.

Sophie Boyron, “ Let’s not forget the translated or interpreted word, lest we miss the story…”

Translation and interpretation are often left at the margin of ‘legal’ analysis and research even in areas where these activities should take centre stage. By looking briefly at two projects, one in the final drafting stage and one at the very early scoping stage, I wish to show the long road that needs to be covered still with regard to translation and interpretation. Otherwise, by not addressing these questions systematically we run the risk of missing the story completely.