The latest transformations in economic and social life in Turkey, as in the world, have also been reflected in the academia. Precarious, temporary and flexible employment in academia and employing part-time instructors, which is widely preferred in foundation universities, especially affects many graduates who plan to become foreign language instructors. This study aims to understand the conditions which result in precariousness and precariatization for the part-time language instructors working in the foreign languages department of a foundation university in Turkey, to seek the reflections on their recognitional experiences in the connection to the administrative and organizational intersubjectivity framework and to try to make sense of the struggle of recognition of the part-time instructors. In a qualitative design, a single instrumental case study was conducted. Data were collected using unstructured observation by the researcher and semi-structured interviews with 9 part-time language instructors. The data were examined through inductive and deductive content analysis. The results indicate that part-time language instructors experience a process of precariatization in which they are faced with insecurity, instability and unsustainability. Through inequalities they experience misrecognition in the context of respect and social esteem through fair treatment and recognition of contribution. Insecurity and temporariness, transform the intersubjective recognition relations within the workplace, which brings belongingness and commitment problems. They choose the path of legitimizing their misrecognition experiences instead of solidarity.

Keywords: recognition, neoliberal academia, precariatization, part-time language instructors