Quality matters – Perspectives from across the language industry landscape
What does quality really mean in translation? How can we achieve it – and what are the consequences when we don’t?
The 2025 Translating Europe Forum brought together translation professionals to discuss quality standards and the future of the industry. Participants explored how artificial intelligence is transforming translation work, while emphasising that human expertise remains essential for cultural sensitivity and meaningful communication. The event highlighted the importance of clear language in public communication, particularly for EU institutions to fulfil their legal duty to make policies accessible to all citizens.
Technology will play an even larger role. We know this. But if we don't ensure that these systems are built on principles of clarity and accessibility, they will only deepen inequity.
What comes out of a human soul and touches another human being’s heart should not go through a machine.
Confirmation bias is the preference of humans. This is humans favouring information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs. And the bad news is that being intelligent and educated doesn't help fight that bias. On the contrary, it turns out that the more intelligent a person is, the more susceptible that person is to confirmation bias.
Language tech alone will probably not create much value; it’s language tech and humans together that create value.
Photo Gallery
Valeria DARÒ (Director, DG Translation) Valeria DARÒ (Director, DG Translation) 
Panel discussion: Building consensus around clear language and editingPanel discussion: Building consensus around clear language and editing 
Dr Änne TROESTER Dr Änne TROESTER 
Ana GUERBEROF (University of Groningen) Ana GUERBEROF (University of Groningen) 
Bruno HERRMANN (LT-Innovate) Bruno HERRMANN (LT-Innovate) 
Marina PANTCHEVA (Director of Linguistic AI Services, RWS) Marina PANTCHEVA (Director of Linguistic AI Services, RWS) 
Industry meeting academia: enterprise-grade localisation 101. Future cornerstone of the translation curricula? (panel discussion)Industry meeting academia: enterprise-grade localisation 101. Future cornerstone of the translation curricula? (panel discussion) 
Tina SHORTLANDTina SHORTLAND 
Training the trainers – wherever they may be (panel discussion)Training the trainers – wherever they may be (panel discussion) 
Winners of EMT Thesis AwardsWinners of EMT Thesis Awards 
Closing remarks - Christos ELLINIDES (Director-General for Translation, European Commission) Closing remarks - Christos ELLINIDES (Director-General for Translation, European Commission)
Related links
Discover the key takeaways and highlights from #2025TEF.