ABSTRACT
The chapter provides information about the translation of European Union (EU) legislative texts. The nodal point on which the EU arrangements turn is language and by extension drafting and translation, and EU legislative translation needs to be seen in that light. The lawyer-linguists play a key role in the preparation of EU legislative texts in all languages, but here the emphasis is placed primarily on the texts themselves, whether it is for translation or revision. This chapter could be rewritten in other EU languages and the references given to guidance and manuals, and quotations, would be replaced by the equivalent terms and expressions and convey the same EU information. So many difficulties exist, but there is also the pleasure for the translator in being engaged in a shared Europe-wide activity, learning new languages, exchanging experiences, remaking history and building together a common shared multilingual future. Text amendments may be proposed in any EU language.
