Dear European Union Associations of Translation Companies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to thank you for inviting us to this important meeting. My name is Adil Thomas Seyrek from allingus Professional Language Solutions Company - Türkiye, and I will present a short introduction on the actual status of Turkish translation industry.

Turkish language, spoken by over 250 million people around the world is an important market for translation industry. Republic of Turkey with its secular democracy and social state based on the rule of law, as a full member of NATO, and also as a candidate to the European Union since December 1999 is the flagship of this enormous market. More and most importantly, there is a likelihood that Turkish language may have a seat among the official languages of the European Union in just a few years. Partial translations of the EU official documents including localization of the web sites into Turkish have already begun back in the year 2000 and this progress is moving-on at a growing rate together with the advance in bilateral relations.

The recent estimates show that there are some one thousand translation companies in Turkey trying to supply the increasing demand of expert solutions. Due to various reasons, however, this mass source of supply is at a certain distance from the requirements of today's industry standards, and therefore it is in need of organization, coordination, standardization and control mechanisms originating from its own resources. Translation theories and methods, tools, utilization of translation memory applications, membership of professional bodies, specializing in particular fields, global presence and accessibility, education, training and accreditation of translators, bridging the gap between theory and practice, awareness on language and identity, adaptation of clients to advanced translation technologies and raising client awareness towards the need of high quality translations and arbitration topics - all have equal importance and priority in the agenda of Turkish translation industry. There are, of course, more details in the social, ethical, economical, legal, academic and technological aspects of the industry that need closer care which all require the presence of a professional body.

There have been some attempts by the Turkish government to establish rules to regulate the Turkish translation industry in compliance with the CEN standards. However, such attempts resulted ineffective mostly because of the lack of a competent organization representing the translation business in Turkey. One of our primary goals is to be a part of this process with our knowledge and experience.

On the other hand, as allingus PLS, we have been effectively monitoring Turkish translation industry through our internet forums, welcoming the freelance translators, colleague translation companies, translators' associations, relevant departments of reputable universities, international industrial magazines since May 2001, where we established and moderated communications, fostered teamwork spirit by facilitating mutual assistance among professionals, organized volunteer translations for humanity, nature and world peace, introduced and promoted the utilization of latest translation technologies.

We have also been an active player in the European market since 1999, collaborated with reputable translation companies from Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and France, subcontracted important technical projects and established long lasting professional business relations with them.

These unique experiences helped us gain an extensive understanding on the Turkish translation industry's past, present, and the foreseeable future, as well as its requirements, expectations and phobias, deficits, advantages, its offers and common problems. Today, we can confidently say that we had a real good rehearsal before establishing the Association of Turkish Translation Companies. We have already outlined these experiences as the Codes of our Association, discussed and agreed with valuable colleague companies and have been in contact with the Presidency of EUATC since mid 2006. We can develop effective methods and implement practical solutions for the requirements of Turkish translation industry. However, it is for sure that this process will need considerable time, critical planning and efforts as well as a strong faith and dedication.

Unlike in the most European countries, there is not an official body or chamber in Turkey accepted as the contact point in translation issues. We aim to form a strong body in the business and with this purpose we have been in close relations with academic institutions and with Turkish Language Society which was founded by the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. We are also actively in contact with most of the reputable full scale Turkish translation companies regarding the establishment of a first Turkish association. Achieving this goal is so close and it promises many advantages also for EUATC.

We, as allingus PLS Co., representing Turkey on a national scale, are willing to become a member of your Union with the target of establishing the Association of Turkish Translation Companies in a year at the latest.

We thank you all for your precious time and support.

Respectfully,
Dipl. - Ing. Adil Thomas Seyrek
Corporate Partner for European Union
allingus Professional Language Solutions Company