Study Results: Working Conditions of Translators on Platforms and in Cooperatives

Wed `12` Feb `2025` `17:00` - `19:00` GMT

Online, MS TEAMS

Study Results: Working Conditions of Translators on Platforms and in Cooperatives

Wed `12` Feb `2025` `17:00` - `19:00` GMT

Online, MS TEAMS

Description

Register for an online presentation and discussion on the findings of the study, "Translation Work in the Digital Economy: Working Conditions of Translators on Platforms and in Cooperatives" by Dr Gökhan Fırat from the University of Surrey, UK. Hosted by Translation Village as part of its webinar series, the event is free and open to everyone.

It would be a pleasure to have you join an online presentation on the findings of recent research into the working conditions of translators on digital platforms and in cooperatives. This session will offer key insights into the challenges translators face especially with the dominance of platform economy, AI and MT technologies, and explore potential solutions for improving their working conditions.

📅 Date: 12 February 2025, Wednesday
🕒 Time:

London (GMT): 17:00 – 19:00
Istanbul (TRT, GMT+3): 20:00 – 22:00
Berlin (CET, GMT+1): 18:00 – 20:00
New York (EST, GMT-5): 12:00 – 14:00
Los Angeles (PST, GMT-8): 09:00 – 11:00
Dubai (GST, GMT+4): 21:00 – 23:00
Delhi (IST, GMT+5:30): 22:30 – 12:30 (next day)

💻 Platform: MS TEAMS (Link will be shared closer to the event).

Details:

Officially completed on 4th January 2025, I’m pleased to share the results of my MA and PhD research. My studies explore how cognitive capitalism, platform economies and cooperative models are reshaping and impacting translation work and its labour conditions. Below are the key insights and links to the open-access thesis and articles. It would be wonderful to have you attend and engage in this open discussion on how we can collectively create fair, decent, democratic and sustainable working conditions. Please feel free to register and join the conversation. And if you think others would benefit from this research and conversation, please share this call on your socials and networks. Thank you again for your support, and see you soon!

Why attend?

It’s time to rethink/reimagine today and future of translation work, stand/resist together and drive/translate a democratic transformation. This webinar series is a good chance to join a critical conversation with peers, colleagues and researchers to:

-Learn the current situation of global work conditions and business models of translation.
-Reclaim fair, decent, democratic and sustainable working conditions for translators.
-Confront the systemic inequalities of class, gender and race embedded in today’s economic models and the language industry.
-Explore the potentials and challenges of alternative business models such as cooperatives and solidarity economy frameworks to create a more democratic and fair future for translation workers.

Be part of the conversation to learn and transform the present and reimagine a better tomorrow for our profession, society and nature.

Study Abstract and Key Findings:

This PhD thesis investigates the labour conditions of translators working within platform capitalist and cooperative business models, assessed against the universal standards of decent and fair work as defined by the International Labour Organisation and Fairwork. Using a mixed-methods approach, with 454 questionnaires and 10 interviews with translators worldwide, the study examines how these models impact translators’ work conditions in the era of cognitive capitalism. Key findings suggest that while platforms promote global reach, flexibility and operational efficiency, they fail to meet decent and fair work conditions. Freelance translators on platform capitalist models often encounter exploitative and unsustainable conditions, characterised by inadequate earnings, unproductive work, excessive hours and limited access to social protections. Financial instability, health issues and work-related stress are common, worsened by peer competition and algorithmic management that suppresses earnings and bargaining power. Additionally, translators on platforms have limited involvement in democratic decision-making, leading to disenfranchisement and authoritarian management. Gender and regional disparities persist, with women and translators in the Global South facing greater challenges. In contrast, translation cooperatives, founded on collective ownership and democratic governance, offer more stable and equitable conditions that align with decent and fair work principles. Cooperative translators benefit from better earnings, meaningful work, job security and a healthier work-life balance, supported by fair management and a strong sense of solidarity. Nonetheless, cooperatives face challenges, including gender disparities, financial instability, competition with large corporations and difficulties scaling due to their local structures and ethical commitments. The study concludes by proposing five key hypotheses and introducing the concept of “transcooperation,” arguing for the need to confront systemic challenges such as capitalist, patriarchal and colonial practices within the platform economy and language industry. It also advocates for exploring cooperative models as viable alternatives to ensure fair work conditions for translators in the cognitive capitalist era.

Want to Learn More? View and Download Open Access:

📄PhD Thesis: https://doi.org/10.15126/thesis.901427

📄MA Thesis: https://transint.bogazici.edu.tr/sites/transint.boun.edu.tr_2023/files/582045.pdf

📄Article "Translators in the platform economy: a decent work perspective": https://doi.org/10.1080/0907676X.2024.2323213

📄Article “Uberisation of translation”: https://forms.gle/DVxPqmiz2n5NLXNv7

Register now: Join us on 12th February for an online presentation to learn more about the findings and discuss shaping a fair, decent, democratic and sustainable future for translators and society.

About Dr Gökhan Fırat:

"I just finished my PhD studies at the University of Surrey, Centre for Translation Studies and my current research is on the working conditions of translation workers. I specifically focus on digital labour platforms and translation cooperatives. Before joining the University of Surrey, I worked in the publishing and translation industries for more than ten years as a book translator, editor, copy-editor, project coordinator, operations manager, business development manager, technology consultant and trainer. I hold a BA in Translation and Interpreting and completed my MA in Translation Studies by focusing on the impacts of the current techno-political transformation of the language industry on translation and its workers."