Working Conditions of Audiovisual Translators in Europe
Kristijan Nikolić, Mirjana Tonković and Jorge Díaz Cintas 2026. Working Conditions of Audiovisual Translators in Europe. Parallèles. 38 (2). https://doi.org/10.17462/para.2026.02.02
| Title | Working Conditions of Audiovisual Translators in Europe |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Kristijan Nikolić, Mirjana Tonković and Jorge Díaz Cintas |
| Abstract | Research on the working conditions of audiovisual translators has historically been fragmented, often confined to single-country studies and limited in scope. Empirical data on remuneration, contractual frameworks, and social protection remain scarce, despite mounting concerns about deteriorating conditions in the industry. This article presents findings from a large-scale online survey conducted between June and September 2022 among 1,966 audiovisual translators across Europe. The analysis offers insights into income levels, employment practices, rate negotiation, and professional identity within an increasingly globalised and platform-driven sector. The results reveal significant disparities across countries, persistent precarity despite high educational attainment, and the limited correlation between experience and income. Nevertheless, the data also point to the potential benefits of collective organisation and professional advocacy. By providing the first Europe-wide overview grounded in empirical evidence, this study contributes to ongoing debates about the sustainability of the AVT profession in the twenty-first century. |
| Keywords | Audiovisual translators, subtitling, dubbing, working conditions, freelance translators, Europe |
| Journal | Parallèles |
| Journal citation | 38 (2) |
| ISSN | 2296-6684 |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publisher | Faculty of Translation and Interpreting of the University of Geneva |
| Publisher's version | License CC BY 4.0 File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.17462/para.2026.02.02 |
| Web address (URL) | https://doi.org/10.17462/para.2026.02.02 |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 02 Feb 2026 |