Preliminary mapping of lesser used languages (LLD) and Public Service Interpreting and Translation (PSIT) in the EU

Abstract

This article presents a preliminary mapping of Languages of Lesser Diffusion (LLD) and Public Service Interpreting and Translation (PSIT) in the European Union, in the context of increasing linguistic diversity driven by contemporary migration flows. Although the European regulatory framework recognizes linguistic rights in key areas-such as asylum, justice, education, and healthcare - there remains a significant gap between legislation and practical implementation. Through a comparative analysis of Nordic, Western, and Eastern European countries, the study reveals substantial disparities in the management of LLD and in the professionalization of PSIT, ranging from well-established accreditation and training systems to fragmented responses based on ad hoc solutions and reliance on bilinguals without specific training. The article argues that addressing LLD requires comprehensive language policies that encompass specialized training, certification frameworks, stable funding, and both institutional and transnational cooperation. The mapping offered here provides an initial structured overview of the current situation of LLD and PSIT across the EU, highlighting the need to move towards more coherent and sustainable models that ensure communicative equity and effective access to rights in increasingly multilingual societies.