Bath Hosts EU's Language Commissioner

5.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 17th Oct 2008

Bath University has this afternoon played host to European Commissioner for Languages, Leonard Orban who is visiting the West Country following an invitation by the region's Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson. Commissioner Orban is visiting the Languages Department, and meeting students who are hoping to embark on careers in translating and interpreting.

Graham Watson, who has worked as an interpreter himself commented;

"Commissioner Orban was impressed by the facilities available here in Bath. The Department has strong links with translating services for Europe's major institutions.

It is great to meet with some of the students; I know myself what an interesting and rewarding career interpreting can be. Communication is fundamental to all aspects of our lives, and we sometimes forget how important learning other languages can be."