Tercümanlk

Tercümanlık is the professional activity and academic discipline concerned with converting written text or spoken language from one language into another. It encompasses translation (written) and interpretation (spoken), as well as related tasks such as localization, terminology management, subtitling, editing, and proofreading. The term derives from ter​cüman, meaning interpreter, from Persian tarjemān, with the Turkish suffix -lık forming a noun.

In Turkey, Tercümanlık is studied as an academic field under programs titled Çeviri ve Tercümanlık or Translation and Interpreting. Programs cover language proficiency, translation theory, linguistics, translation technology (CAT tools), and subject-matter training in fields such as law, medicine, and technology. A career may involve working in translation agencies, in-house localization, or freelance work. A sworn or licensed translator (yeminli tercüman) is authorized by the authorities to translate official documents for legal use.

History of the field reflects translation activity in the Ottoman and modern Turkish periods, evolving with print media, diplomacy, and administration. In the contemporary era, formal education in translation and professional associations have contributed to standardization, terminology development, and best practices. Subfields include literary translation, technical translation, localization, audiovisual translation, and interpretation, with ongoing integration of tools such as computer-assisted translation and terminology management.