“This House believes that screens are detrimental to the development of young people’s cognitive abilities.” This provocative statement framed our annual Multilingual Debate (MLD) on Thursday 5th June, when experts, academics, and community representatives gathered on campus to explore the cognitive impact of screen use among young people. The event, held in the James Watt Centre, drew a full house of high-school students eager to hear arguments for and against this timely topic. 

What made this debate truly unique was its multilingual format. Participants spoke in their native languages, while interpretation was provided by our highly skilled LINCS M.A. and MSc students. Thanks to their expertise, the audience could follow the discussion seamlessly in British Sign Language (BSL), Chinese, French, German, and Spanish. Despite the complexity of the subject matter, our interpreters rose to the challenge with professionalism and poise. 

Many of these students had recently returned from a field trip to the EU Commission, where they practiced interpreting in real EU meetings using mute booths—an invaluable experience that sharpened their skills in high-pressure environments. Interpreting is a cornerstone of the Languages and Intercultural Studies (LINCS) Department, alongside translation and intercultural studies. For over 50 years, these applied language pathways have equipped students with in-demand skills that open doors to careers in international organisations, business, finance, journalism, humanitarian work, and beyond. 

The MLD remains a flagship event in our calendar. This year’s edition was once again sold out, with a long waiting list—a testament to its popularity and educational value. It offers not only a platform for linguistic excellence but also a real-world opportunity for our students to apply their training in a dynamic, public setting. 

In addition to the debate, visiting students explored our beautiful campus through a multilingual scavenger hunt and toured the interpreting labs in the Henry Prais Building. They also had the chance to meet current students and learn more about the LINCS programmes. 

This immersive experience no doubt inspired many of our young guests. Perhaps some will return in the future—not as audience members, but as interpreters at the MLD or professionals in international arenas, following in the footsteps of Heriot-Watt graduates.