Here we summarise the results corresponding to the following questions: 1) the status of translators in the various census, taxation and job-description systems. 2) the relative status of academic qualifications and training, 3) the status of sworn or authorised translators, and 4) the role of professional associations.

These results are followed by a series of case studies, where the four questions are answered in terms of more or less unified national signalling systems.

What is the Status of Translators in Official Categorisations?

General classifications of economic activities

In the “Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community” (NACE) we find “Translation and Interpretation” listed as a separate category (74.3), alongside “Specialised design activities”, “Photographic activities” and “Other professional, scientific and technical activities”. This classification is picked up in some of the national listings (in Croatia, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom, for example) and in principle should apply throughout the European Union.

The International Labour Organization has an International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-88) in which translators and interpreters are categorised in major group 2 “professionals”, sub-major group 24 “other professionals”, minor group 244 “social science and related professionals” and unit group 2444 “philologists, translators and interpreters”. This classification has been reported as being used in Austria.