Something we discussed last week with a few experts in “language-related professions” was about what the future will bring for us terminologists, translators, localizers, technical writers, etc. There is some indication that our field has not been hit as hard as others. Participation at our TSS 2009 training was nearly unaffected, for example. We also learned from Frieda Steurs during her presentations that the industry is growing.
But is this all that is to say? I mean, have we really weathered the economic crisis unharmed? Is it because what an expert said because in times of crisis companies concentrate particularly on the strategic improvement of quality and internal processes? More importantly, would they invest in this in times when cost-cutting is the word of the day?
Or may it be that recession is yet to hit us as – it is predicted to do with so many other industries – with a certain time lag?
I would be curious what you think about it. Your comments please!
Terminology Blog 
Alper Kumcu
Jul 15, 2009 @ 12:26:32
First of all, I would like to express my warmest thanks to the organizers of this productive and inspiring event. It was truly an invaluable experience and opportunity for us to be a part of the TSS as participants of the TermTurk.
As for the effect of global financial crisis on language-related professions, I would like to depict the situation in Turkey. Although I work as a research assistant at a university, which is rather an isolated environment; I have been observing the market since the onset of the crisis and I discussed the circumstances with some friends of mine, who are working as translators, editors, proof-readers etc in Turkey.
January, February and March in particular were “hard-times” in respect of capital flow in Turkish market. Although patent companies, for instance, did not cease their translation flow, SMEs were terribly affected by the crisis and as a result, translation business was also hit hard.
Employers, who run translation offices, changed their payment modes, namely from monthly wages to payment based on characters/words translated or edited. Hence, some employees in the language-related businesses did not want to work under these conditions and left their jobs. Some employers also took down the shutters and tried their luck in different sectors. There were also serious problems when it comes to receive payments from clients. They were also in the “same ship” and had difficulty in paying or used financial crisis as an excuse to postpone payments.
Today, however, language related businesses in Turkey go through a kind of recovery process.
Although financial prospects and figures are not that gloomy, every person in the market, whether being employers or employees, should be on the safe side and not take additional risks on this volatile ground.
I believe, although translation sector in particular is not that fragile compared to others in the market, it is closely related with those, which are extremely vulnerable against financial bottlenecks. Therefore a sparkle in transportation sector, let’s say, may turn into a blaze in translation sector. It is indeed a butterfly or domino effect or chain reaction, you name it.
Alper KUMCU
Hacettepe University, TURKEY