Glossary of terms related to immigration and asylum

Abstract

Since Maltese became an official language of the European Union, the focus on standardising our language has become stronger. Specialised, researched glossaries in Maltese would help in establishing certain standards and in making the translation and comprehension of legal texts easier. Thanks to glossaries, translators could choose words that are precise and specific, thus retaining consistency of meaning as well as grammatical correctness. The aim of this thesis is to provide a comprehensive glossary of terms related to immigration and asylum, both in English and in Maltese. The terms were taken from the main and subsidiary legislation within the Laws of Malta (Ch 217, Ch 420). Immigration and asylum are closely related and both are very relevant presently. Leaders of the European Union are committed to developing the EU into an area of freedom, security and justice where people facing tragic circumstances can seek refuge. And Malta is certainly no stranger to the phenomenon of asylum seekers and irregular migration. According to government figures, about 7,000 irregular immigrants have arrived in Malta since 2002. Translation is no easy task since "no two languages are identical, either in the meanings given to corresponding symbols or in the ways in which such symbols are arranged", (Nida, 1964). The translator's task becomes even harder where specialised areas or registers are concerned. Reference books in Maltese are not easily available and new terminology must be created to suit the particular purpose. The aim of this glossary is to make a contribution towards the growth and enrichment of the Maltese language, thus doing away with the idea that it is not suitable for certain registers.