Özet:

It has been observed that persons with disabilities are turning to professions other than they have traditionally been employed; however, they have been increasingly subject to discrimination. One of these new professions is translatorship. This study underlining how translators with disabilities take position in the professional field utilizes the sociology of translation and the concepts of Pierre Bourdieu while applying the phenomenological approach. The sociology of translation investigates all actors taking part in the practice of translation in relationality; whereas phenomenological approach sheds light to the lived experience of individuals and makes these experiences visible. It is of utmost importance to do a field study to achieve this. In the framework of this study, we conducted face to face in-depth interviews with five translators with a visual or orthopedic disability. Analyzing the transcripts of the recorded interviews, we have brought two main themes to the foreground. The first theme is concerned with the prejudiced approach of the employees and professors towards the translators with disabilities. This prejudice brings along discrimination, which causes translators with disabilities to be deprived of the necessary professional training and knowledge. The other theme is the barrier of accessibility including but not limited to Computer-Aided Translation Tools (CATT) and course materials. Although accessibility is a legal obligation to be fulfilled by all institutions open to the general public, it has been concluded that translators with disabilities come across the accessibility barrier during both training and employment. This study aims to make their disadvantageous position and problems they encounter in the field visible as well as raise the awareness of both the academia and the sector. Thus, translators with disabilities who have been employed only in certain positions so far will be able to find the opportunity to be employed in any profession they choose in line with their training and abilities. 

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