About TRIN
For 30 years, the Department of Translation and Interpreting has an outstanding track record in translation and interpreting. The degree program in Translation and Interpretation trains translators and interpreters in Turkish, English and French. It is dedicated to providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the evolving and challenging field of translation and interpretation.
Our curriculum combines theoretical and practical knowledge to equip our students with the necessary toolkit in light of the existing demands of the field. The curriculum is designed to introduce a building block approach towards acquisition of translation and interpreting skills. Our course offerings include a wide range of topics, from basic translation and interpreting courses to advanced courses supplemented with courses aimed at enriching general knowledge and world know-how of the students such as culture, technology, international institutions, diction and Turkish language. Specialized courses such as note-taking, consecutive interpreting, translation of texts on economy, law, current affairs, technology, literature etc. are also given all the while to help students find their passion in this field, and guide them accordingly.
We also offer a variety of electives to help students tailor their education to their individual interests and career goals. The staff at Department of Translation and Interpretation is committed to providing a constructive and enabling learning environment for all students. promote critical thinking about language use, translation and interpreting while encouraging an understanding of the various factors involved in these processes. We offer a variety of courses from fundamental concepts to advanced skills in translation and interpreting. These cover research, text and discourse analysis, communication and presentation skills, comprehension, reformulation, production techniques as well as translation and interpreting skills in various fields.
Pedagogical materials along with authentic resources, speeches are used to simulate various translation and interpreting challenges. Students learn to use innovative software such as computer-assisted translation and interpreting, machine translation, and corpora. Mock conferences also provide a milieu for students to practice actual preparation and performance skills while others develop their world knowledge through listening experts in various fields.
Events: Celebrating Translation Day with Yiğit Bener
On October 2, 2024, we had the pleasure of hosting renowned author and translator Yiğit Bener for a talk titled “Can literary works be translated without being a literary figure?”
Yiğit Bener, who has translated the works of literary giants such as Albert Camus and Julio Cortázar, drew from his rich experience of over 40 years as both a literary figure and a conference interpreter. Bener’s background spans six novels, five collections of short stories, and notable translations, such as Louis Ferdinand Céline’s “Voyage au bout de la nuit” (Journey to the End of the Night) for which he received the 2002 World Translation Award. His work continues to bridge the cultural and artistic gap between France and Turkey, recently earning him the prestigious Chevalier of Arts and Letters award from the French Ministry of Culture.
During the talk, Bener shared his thoughts on how the depth of a translator’s literary knowledge and flexibility together with research capabilities can shape the accuracy, fidelity and creativity of a translated text. He also talked about censorship in literature; shared personal stories from his career, offering valuable insights into the challenging interplay between authorship and translation.
Events: 1st National Congress on Translation Studies, İzmir
Bilkent TRIN made its presence felt at the “1st National Congress on Translation Studies,” held from June 27 to 29, 2024, at İzmir University of Economics. Asst. Prof. Duygu Duman delivered an insightful presentation on the pivotal role of actors in community interpreting services within healthcare and education. She underscored the profound impact of international organizations on national systems and the necessity for collaborative efforts among these actors.
In another session, Zeynep Şengel provided a thorough analysis comparing international standards and guidelines pertaining to plain and easy language. She illuminated the distinct target audiences, intended uses, and foundational principles of these approaches, while also proposing promising avenues for future research at the intersection of plain language and translation.
Furthermore, Büşra Kurt Uçar presented an innovative syllabus proposal for a localization course. Emphasizing the need for a structured syllabus that incorporates relevant and up-to-date materials, exercises, and technological tools, she presented compelling evidence drawn from feedback provided and a questionnaire filled out by students who had experienced the course. This evidence reinforced the relevance of her proposed syllabus in meeting the evolving demands of the contemporary localization sector.
News from us
Emin Ege Ünver (B.A., 2022) who completed his master’s at the College of Europe, has recently published a paper exploring German-Turkish defense cooperation. Published at the College of Europe and Polish National Library, the paper delves into German-Turkish defense cooperation through public and private sectors and offers policy options for both parties to establish a beneficial collaboration between the two.
It is with great pride that we announce the achievement of one of our own students, Giray Başbuğ. Giray recently unveiled his translation book, which is a collection of poetry from the English Renaissance.
The book features major poets of the period such as Thomas Wyatt, Edmund Spenser, and Samuel Daniel, as well as granting a unique perspective to Philip Sidney and William Shakespeare through retranslations, including the second Turkish translation of the narrative poem A Lover’s Complaint.
Congratulations to Giray Başbuğ on this remarkable accomplishment!
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News from staff
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Zachary Murphy King to our department. Dr. King, who received his Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures from the University of Chicago in 2023, has an exciting research agenda focusing on the intersection of translation, politics, and literary theory. His expertise will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to our academic community at TRIN.
March 2024 – Hacettepe University French Cultural Community (Communauté Culturelle Française) invited our instructor Güçlü Özkök to their seminar on French literature, literary translation and particularly, children’s literature.
He shared valuable insights on translating specific genres like children’s literature and comics. His expertise in language intricacies, cultural nuances, and storytelling techniques enriched the symposium, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the challenges and creative opportunities in translating these unique genres.
February 2024 – Dr. Duman participated as a trainer in the “Training on Mental Healthcare Interpreting” in Gaziantep, Turkey (7-9/02/2024) as part of the SIHHAT-II Project, funded by the European Union and executed by the Ministry of Health in Turkey. The training aims at improving interculturall communication in mental healthcare and psychosocial support through patient guides at Migrant Health Centers and Migrant Mental Healthcare Centers currently operational in 27 provinces of Turkey.
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News from us
The Certificate Ceremony of the Directorate for EU Affairs “Young Translators Competition” was held at the Directorate on 16 April 2024. The aim of this year’s competition, organized for the twelfth time, is to increase awareness about universities and young translators preparing for careers related to Turkey’s accession process to the European Union (EU) and to contribute to the development of well-trained professionals in this field. The competition drew 125 students from 41 universities. Certificates of achievement were awarded to 14 successful young translators by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs, Ambassador Mehmet Kemal BOZAY.
Göktürk Sina Köme, a fourth-year student, secured the first prize in French-Turkish translation, showcasing his exceptional linguistic and translation skills as well as his comprehensive knowledge of the field. Moreover, Ece Bilgen, another fourth-year student received honorable mention in the same language pair contributing to the department’s legacy in outstanding trilingual training in translation and interpretation. Bilkent University congratulates its students on their outstanding achievements.
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In loving memory of Dilek Önay
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dilek Önay, a pioneer in conference interpreting in Turkey and a beloved teacher. For many years, she served as a part-time instructor both at the graduate and the undergraduate program, contributing to the training of countless interpreters. Her expertise, dedication, and passion for the profession left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of learning from her.
Dilek hoca’s enthusiasm for teaching, coupled with her warm personality and infectious laughter, made her a cherished figure at Bilkent. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will live on through the many students she trained.