Issues Ahead of The Indian Translators Meet 2005 The ramification behind the foundations of a translation industry is the enormous commercial potential behind the establishment of such a venture. However, the establishment of such an industry requires the addressing of certain key issues for continued progress. The Indian Translators Meet 2005, supported by Microsoft Bhashaindia, seeks to provide a podium for the leaders and professionals of the country’s translation industry to interact together and network to lay the foundation of this industry. The Meet, scheduled on the 17th of September this year, brings representatives of the country’s premier translation service providers, state officials and freelancers together to discuss and explore all possible avenues to ensuring a healthy growth of the India-based translations sector. Microsoft will be showcasing its premier productivity programs suite, Microsoft Office 2003, fully configured in Indian languages, as a toolkit to facilitate the work requirements of the modern translator. The Meet will also look into various aspects that require attention and focused effort for the growth of this industry. The prime issues ahead of the translators’ community are manifold. A large component of the industry functions in an unorganized, unaffiliated nature. This lead to a crisis in terms of regularization and definition of the industry they are a part of. The unregulated translation industry also is prone to a vast variety of financial problems with respect to the price of services offered. The disparities that crop up due to the lack of a forum to address such issues often de-emphasize the drawing power of the translation industry. Another issue of profound significance is the future of Indian languages and the services extended in Indian languages by the translations industry. It is of prime importance of any such venture to focus attention on home grounds first. The protocols and vision necessary for the propagation of Indian-language services to fully develop the local market potential to the fullest is, financially, a necessity and, socially, a target of maximum relevance. The basis of the foundations of an industry is in the harnessing of the relevant technologies to maximize efficiencies. The development of tools that can help a professional in this field to expedite work requirements, in tandem with the advances of technologies in this era is an option to be explored. Microsoft’s localization initiative offers a basic and effective measure to achieve the technology requirements of this industry with the necessary speed and organization. The foundation of a caucus of professionals is of immediate order to discuss these issues. Microsoft Bhashaindia’s endorsement of the 2005 edition of the Indian Translators Meet demonstrates its enthusiasm and support towards this venture. The Indian Translators Meet 2005 is scheduled to be held on 17th September, 2005 at Residency Resorts, USI Premises, Rao Tula Marg (Opposite Subroto Park), New Delhi – 110010. Indian Translators Meet 2005 Forging Relationships