EIZIE

EIZIE, an acronym for Euskal Itzultzaile, Zuzentzaile eta Interpreteen Elkartea, is a professional association for translators, correctors, and interpreters whose source or target language is Basque. The organization was established in 1987 by a small group of professional Basque translators who believed that the expanding translation profession needed a formal representative structure. Its first president was the writer and translator Juan Mari Lekuona. EIZIE operates within the Basque cultural and linguistic sphere and is officially registered in both Spain and France. Its membership brings together professionals working across a broad range of specializations, including literary, scientific, audiovisual, legal, and administrative translation. A membership figure reported for 2007 placed the association at approximately 300 professional members, although a current membership total is not established here. The association serves both a professional and a cultural function. For members, it provides guidance and legal advice on matters such as intellectual property, taxation, and contractual relationships. It also organizes or supports training in translation practice, including instruction in modern technologies used to assist translators. Its governance is based on elections by the membership: the board is renewed every two years and includes a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and four additional members. EIZIE also contributes to the development and international visibility of Basque literature and translation. Its activities have included maintaining a multilingual website about Basque translation, publishing Senez, an annual journal focused on translation theory and practice, and supporting the Universal Literature Collection. The latter is a Basque Government-backed program begun in 1989 to make major works of world literature available in Basque; by 2007, the collection reportedly contained 125 published titles. EIZIE also created and maintains Basqueliterature.com, a platform intended to present Basque literature to audiences in other languages. The association receives institutional financial assistance from bodies including the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, and the Spanish Center for Reprographic Rights. EIZIE is best understood not as a commercial consumer brand but as a professional, linguistic, and cultural institution supporting the quality, status, and reach of Basque-language translation and interpreting.

EIZIE was founded in 1987 by a group of professional Basque translators seeking a formal organization for a growing occupation. The association selected Juan Mari Lekuona as its first president. Its creation reflected the expanding role of translation in Basque cultural production and in the administration, education, media, and literary systems in which Basque was being used and developed. The organization represents professionals whose working languages include Basque, whether Basque is the source language, the target language, or both. Its scope includes literary, scientific, audiovisual, legal, and administrative translation, as well as interpreting and correction. EIZIE is officially registered in Spain and France, corresponding to the cross-border character of the Basque linguistic community. By 2007, EIZIE was reported to have about 300 members. Its professional support work includes advice concerning intellectual property, taxation, and contracts, together with continuing education. Training has covered different areas of translation practice and the use of newer technologies that can support translators. The association is governed by an elected board whose mandate is renewed every two years. The board structure consists of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and four other members. EIZIE's work extends beyond member services into publishing and cultural development. It supports the journal Senez, which addresses translation theory and practice and is published annually with its complete text available online. The association also participates in the Universal Literature Collection, a project established with the support of the Basque Government in 1989 to translate important works of world literature into Basque. The collection had reached 125 published titles by 2007. In addition, EIZIE established and maintains Basqueliterature.com to help introduce Basque literature to readers in other languages. The association's institutional support has included assistance from the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, and CEDRO, the Spanish Center for Reprographic Rights. Through its membership services, training, publications, and literary initiatives, EIZIE combines professional representation with long-term support for the Basque language and its translation ecosystem.

• 2007

  Membership and literary translation activity documented

  [1]EIZIEen.wikipedia.org

  EIZIE is reported to have approximately 300 professional members, while the Universal Literature Collection is reported to contain 125 published titles.

• 1989

  Universal Literature Collection begins

  [1]EIZIEen.wikipedia.org

  The Basque Government-backed collection starts publishing Basque translations of major works from world literature, with EIZIE involved in the initiative.

• 1987

  EIZIE is founded

  [1]EIZIEen.wikipedia.org

  A group of professional Basque translators establishes EIZIE to provide a formal structure for the developing translation profession. Juan Mari Lekuona becomes its first president.

A professional and cultural association strengthening the practice, professional standing, and international visibility of Basque-language translation.

• Translation journal

  Senez

  An annual journal devoted to the theory and practice of translation. It provides a forum for professional and scholarly discussion of translation-related issues and makes its complete text available online.

• Literary translation program · 1989

  Universal Literature Collection

  A program supported by the Basque Government to publish Basque translations of major works from international literature. The initiative began in 1989 and was reported to have reached 125 titles by 2007.

• Literary website

  Basqueliterature.com

  A website created and maintained by EIZIE to increase awareness of Basque literature among readers and cultural audiences using languages other than Basque.

• Professional information platform

  EIZIE website

  EIZIE's information platform presents material about Basque translation in Basque, Spanish, French, and English, supporting the association's professional and international communications.

1. 1EIZIEen.wikipedia.org
2. 2EIZIE official websiteeizie.eus