Statistics on the language industry Can the Dream become True? Nino Platteel

Statistics on the language industry 1 Contents: Main issue: delineation of the sectors belonging to the language industry 1.Classifications: - Basics -Activity and Product classifications -International aspects 2.Language industry in international classifications

Statistics on the language industry 2 Statistical classifications Classifications group and organize information meaningfully and systematically Classifications: Set of well-described categories Exhaustive Mutually exclusive Structured, often hierarchical Categories as homogeneous as possible Stable

Statistics on the language industry 3 Statistical classifications Based on kind of productive activity  grouping units in industries  industry is defined as the set of all production units engaged primarily in the same or similar kinds of productive activity. Activity classification:

Statistics on the language industry 4 Statistical classifications Classified according to principal activity  output produced for third parties Ancillary activities:  bookkeeping, storage, etc. but also translation services in multi national (Supporting main activity) Other auxiliary activities:  integrated in the output of main activity Activity classification:

Statistics on the language industry 5 Statistical classifications Criteria to create separate categories: User needs Sufficiently important Covering important part of the activity

Statistics on the language industry 6 Statistical classifications Activity classification is not designed to measure product data at any detailed level Separate classification  based on the intrinsic characteristics of the goods or the nature of the services rendered But: can be linked to activity in which the goods or services are mainly produced (criterion of industrial origin)  Classification of Products by Activity

Statistics on the language industry 7 Statistical classifications Differences: Activity classification: Grouping all units producing for example paper as principal activity (institutional approach) Product classification: All production of paper irrespective of the enterprises within which these goods are produced (functional approach)

Statistics on the language industry 8 Statistical classifications International aspects: Specific detail available only at national level At international level less detail but harmonised  “lowest common multiple!”

Statistics on the language industry 9 International Statistical classifications ActivitiesProducts WorldISIC Rev. 4CPCHS EuropeNACE Rev.2CPA / Prodcom CN Member States National version NACE National version CPA / Prodcom CN

Statistics on the language industry 10 Language industry (1) ActivityProduct Language teaching Education, NACE 85CPA 85.5 Translation Translation and interpretation services NACE CPA InterpretingCPA Technology tools Computer programming activities, NACE CPA 62.01

Statistics on the language industry 11 Language industry (2) ActivityProduct Subtitling and dubbing Motion picture, video and television programme post- production services NACE Part of: CPA CPA Software localisation Software publishing services NACE 58.2 (Computer programming activities NACE 62.01) CPA 58.2

Statistics on the language industry 12 Language industry (3) ActivityProduct Conference organisation Organisation of conventions and trade shows NACE Part of: CPA ConsultancyBusiness and other management consultancy activities NACE CPA

Statistics on the language industry 13 Conclusions Translation and Interpretation: - Statistics available - Further detail possible at “product” level Other sectors of language industry: - In general no statistics available - For few sectors some statistics possible at “product” level But: New statistics not be easily accepted because of budgetary situation at statistical offices!

Statistics on the language industry 14 Thank you for your attention