Izmir University of Economics Hosts 1st National Translation Studies Congress

Izmir University of Economics, Department of English Translation and Interpretation, celebrated its 20th anniversary by launching the National Translation Studies Congress series with a pluralistic approach. The first congress in this series was held on June 27-29, 2024, at Izmir University of Economics. The event featured 74 presenters from 36 universities, delivering 59 papers, with total attendance reaching 140 people. The topics covered a wide range of areas, such as artificial intelligence and translation, literary translation, community interpreting, and translation education. In addition to two general sessions featuring invited speakers attended by all participants, there were 20 simultaneous sessions.

On June 27, the first day of the congress, the distinguished academician Prof. Dr. Nüzhet Berrin Aksoy, as an invited speaker, gave a key note speech on New Research Areas in Translation Studies. She emphasized theories, new trends, and the changing global conditions, highlighting the importance of academic curiosity. She encouraged young academics to ask new questions and pursue original and current research topics.

On June 28, the second day of the congress, renowned author Latife Tekin participated as an invited speaker. She engaged in a highly attended Q&A session moderated by the university's Publication Director, Gülce Başer. Tekin discussed the author-translator relationship, reader reception, the impact of her books on other authors and readers, intertextuality, and the importance of translation. She provided striking examples of how translation can take different forms and evoke various effects in different languages and cultures. Following the session, Tekin held a book signing, met her readers and took photos with them.

Following two full days of researchers presenting their papers, the closing session of the conference took place. The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Honorary Chair of the Congress Organizing Committee, Prof. Dr. Neslihan Yetkiner, announced that the second congress would be held at Atılım University. She also gathered general feedback from participants to improve future congresses. Finally, the Head of the Department of English Translation and Interpretation and Chair of the Congress Organizing Committee, Prof. Dr. Nihal Yetkin Karakoç, emphasized that such congresses, as an important part of the intellectual journey in academia, stimulate academic curiosity, provide opportunities for quality exchange of ideas, and pave the way for new generations of researchers. 

Prof. Dr. Yetkin-Karakoç also expressed her gratitude to all past and present faculty members of the department. As the Chair of the Organizing Committee, she thanked the Rectorate, the Corporate Communications Department, and all who contributed to the preparation of this congress. To acknowledge their efforts, she invited the organizing team to the stage, including the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Honorary Chair of the Organizing Committee, Prof. Dr. Neslihan Yetkiner, and the Assistant Dean, Assoc. Dr. Ilgın Aktener, along with all department members, research assistants, and student volunteers. With the entire team on stage, commemorative photos were taken.

Later that evening, participants gathered for a gala dinner at Marquez Restaurant, and on the final day of the event, June 29, a guided cultural tour of Kemeraltı was organized, providing detailed information about the history and architecture of our country's largest open-air market to the participants.