Because We’re Worth It

Abstract Rate-setting is a problematic area for newcomers to translation and established practitioners alike. Survey data generally support the view that translators feel underpaid money matters remain chief ethical pragmatic concern, but appropriate guidance almost entirely absent from introductory textbooks on profession documentation prepared by industry associations remains unsatisfactory. Focusing in United Kingdom, this conceptual paper explores constraints limit price formation practices, argues under threat disruptive technologies, Uberisation, non-professional translation, now more than ever. We explore complex interaction between status, internal external perceptions, regulation, illustrate their push-pull relationship with rate-setting within range of ‘educators’, uncovering ways which themselves, associations, academic institutions directly indirectly impact upon practices. The article concludes considering potential channels buoy status improve practices industry.