Linking professional practice with translation training in a business-oriented setting : the Portuguese Association of Translation Companies example

Abstract

This paper is aimed at surveying the Portuguese translation market from the point of view of the translation services provider by presenting some of the conclusions of a research project focused on the universe of the Portuguese Association of Translation Companies (APET). Based on some of the findings of an academic survey specially designed to outline the sociological profile of the associate members of the Portuguese Association of Translation Companies, this report aims to contextualise the translation industry both at a national (APET) and international level (EUATC), by characterising the sector and the background in which some of the most important translation agencies usually operate in Portugal. Besides offering a brief overview of the language industry in Portugal, this survey provides new insights into market expectations (features, skills and competences, profiles, needs, constraints, requirements and working conditions, among others), and builds up a picture of the ideal translation services provider’s profile, which may eventually lead to a redefinition of the way translators are trained according to professional standards by tailoring translation curricula to new business-oriented settings.