Four Interpreters from the University of Bologna for the Chamber of Deputies

Beatrice Costabile, Maria Laura Colella, Giulia Di Filippo and Antonio Maruca - all graduates from the University of Bologna - are four of the six new interpreters and translators working in the Chamber of Deputies: this is the result of the competitive exam announced to select three new interpreters for English, one for French, one for Spanish and one for German.

Beatrice Costabile has been awarded one of the three positions for English. Passionate about foreign languages since childhood, she started working as a freelancer immediately after graduating, combining interpreting with translating and teaching. "For several months, every spare hour from work and every weekend was dedicated to preparing for the exam," says Beatrice. "It’s a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. I believe this is a wonderful setting in which to practise our profession – working for the most important democratic institution in the country gives deep meaning to what we do".

Becoming a conference interpreter was always Maria Laura Colella's dream. She ranked first in the French section of the competition. Her interpreting career has included work in both Italy and abroad, particularly in the medical field. "The master’s degree really changed me; it taught me resilience and perseverance. I can say with certainty that without the years I spent at the University of Bologna, I would not have had the tools to pass the competitive exam for the Chamber of Deputies. I can finally say with pride that all the hard times and sacrifices have helped me to grow and achieve this success. And with a big smile on my face, I can say that it was truly worth it," says Maria Laura.

The competition was quite a challenge for Giulia Di Filippo, winner for Spanish, who has a background in translation: "It is often said – in academic settings and beyond – that an interpreter can translate, but a translator cannot interpret. I am happy to have challenged this common belief and to have learnt a craft so complex it verges on art. Realising you’re capable of doing it, and then actually doing it– that’s the real reward. I hope that my excellent colleagues, who are accompanying me on this new journey, and I will always have the desire to learn, to discover, to keep our ears open, our eyes clear and our arms open".

Antonio Maruca, interpreter for German, realised he wanted to do this job when he was 13, while travelling with his family. This led to a passion for the language, which fascinated him with its sounds. "The competitive exam consisted of several written and oral tests. The level of the texts to be translated and the speeches to be interpreted was particularly challenging, but the topics, pace of delivery and terminology were all manageable thanks to what I had learnt at the University of Bologna. This new adventure is certainly exciting – both for the prestige of the institution and the opportunity to work alongside such motivated and enthusiastic colleagues. In the future, I hope to keep honing my techniques and to take on even more prestigious assignments, perhaps all around the world,” says Antonio.