Translations as a Means of Revitalising Minority Languages : Translation Support under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Abstract
The contribution outlines the way translation is represented in the provisions of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. It then presents the outcomes of three translation-related projects carried out under the umbrella of the Charter in the Czech Republic since 2011.
It reports on surveys on translation-related activity between Czech and Romani, a study on literary canon in the minority- majority context and the organisation of two translation workshops with representatives of both the majority language translating into Romani, and those of the minority language, translating into Czech. Other project outcomes described in the article include a website featuring a resource platform for Czech/Romani translators as well as reflections on the specific topic of translation technology in the area of minority languages, with special attention to revitalising the Romani language.
A list of 23 recommendations was drawn up, outlining suggestions for further support of regional and minority languages in the Czech Republic and elsewhere, using state-of-the-art translation and language technology. Overall, the presented information can serve as a basis for further studies on minority languages, as well as a source of inspiration for implementing the translation-related requirements of the Charter in the countries that are parties to the convention.