250 translators volunteered at the earthquake affected area

Izmir University of Economics, Department of English Translation and Interpretation held ‘Emergency and Disaster Interpreting’ titled seminar in order to discuss the duties that translators can undertake after a possible earthquake. Stating that after the earthquake disaster in Kahramanmaraş, approximately 250 translators went to the region voluntarily, Prof. Dr. Neslihan Kansu Yetkiner, Head of Department of English Translation and Interpreting, said, “Translators need to know the terminology of disaster and how to treat foreigners in the region very well. As the department, we are ready to participate in projects and trainings to train translators to work in disasters, together with our students.”

The guests of the online seminar, attended by more than 200 people, were Prof. Dr. Turgay Kurultay and Asst. Prof. Dr. Rana Kahraman Duru, members of the Emergency and Disaster Interpreters Organization, affiliated to the Translation and Interpreting Association. Presentations lasted about one and a half hours in the event where Kurultay and Duru emphasized that Turkey was an ‘earthquake prone country’ and that the people of Turkey must face the reality of disaster. The duties of non-governmental organizations, following the 1999 Marmara and Düzce earthquakes, which had devastating consequences in our country, the work of the Translation Association, and volunteering activities were also emphasized in the seminar. Prof. Dr. Kurultay ve Asst. Prof. Dr. Duru talked about the ‘Emergency and Disaster Interpreting’ trainings and the requirements of being a disaster interpreter, and answered questions of the participants.

WE WILL CREAT AWARENESS

Head of the Department, Prof. Dr. Neslihan Kansu Yetkiner thanked Prof. Dr. Kurultay and Asst. Prof. Dr. Duru for their participation in the seminar. Stating that they raise students as individuals with a high level of awareness and knowledge about disasters, Prof. Dr. Kansu Yetkiner announced that they have decided to include the subject of ‘Emergency and Disaster Interpreting’ in the entire curriculum; starting from first grade to fourth grade courses. Prof. Dr. Kansu Yetkiner said, “We, as a department, have improved the content of the ‘Community Interpreting’ course, which we offer to students and decided to cover the subject of disaster interpreting within the scope of the course. With this course, we aim to teach students the disaster terminology and provide information on what translators should pay attention to in case of a possible earthquake.” Prof. Dr. Kansu Yetkiner also stated that they will direct the students of the department to the trainings to be offered on the subject of disaster interpreting and added that they would cooperate with institutions or associations.