"Translation: Negotiating Between Global and Local"

American Comparative Literature Association, Harvard, March 26-29, 2009

In our increasingly globalized world we are constantly confronted with the opposition of the "local" versus the "global." The emphasis generally placed on a "global community" (or "village") often obscures or homogenizes local customs, beliefs, world views, languages and literatures, although, at the same time, it may also be necessary for the survival of the local to be articulated in global modes of expression, which simultaneously spread and change local identities. The promise of a global village is based on the idea that individual, local identities will all come together in a bigger umbrella context that will still respect and foster individual differences. However, one cannot ignore the fact that not all local entities are treated equally and have equal say in the contruction of what is to be considered global, which is, in a sense, more an extension of powerful local interests than a harmonious global utopia.

Translation studies is an optimal area in which to reflect upon this dichotomy between the local and the global considering that translating is generally seen as an act of rewriting something local for an audience other than the one for which it was supposedly written. In other words, the promise of translation, like that of the global village, is to transform the local into something global, or something that can speak outside of its proper context.

This panel welcomes papers that explore how translation studies can help us theorize, problematize, highlight, and/or bridge this dichotomy with all the tensions that it entails. For example, papers could address questions such as (but not limited to) the following: can translation truly "bridge gaps" between different cultures anad languages, or between the local and the global? How do the asymmetric power relations that have created so-called "dominant" and "minor" languages play into the dichotomy of the local/global? How does translation perpetuate and/or highlight these inequalities, and conversely, how could it be used as a mechanism of resistance? What role does the importation of foreign influences that is translation play in the creation of local identities, or how does translation participate in the very process of designating the "local" and the "global"?

To submit paper proposals, please follow the instruction on the ACLA website.

Contact: Ben Van Wyke, Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis

Translation Volume III: Territorialities: The Place of Translation

Translation, the Translation Studies journal from the University of California, Santa Barbara is now accepting submissions of scholarly articles that address questions of how and why literary translation can create or destablize notions of physical place, territoriality, nationality and geographical identify. What operations does the text undergo, what are the motivations that spur literary translation, what are the politics of dissemination that govern our experience of literature through translation and enable us to cross borders, both real and imaginary?:

We encourage critical reflection on individual translations, on the art of translation, and on the literary and political issues that surround translation practices. As always, for our Translation Section, we welcome original translations from both new and established translators of poetry or short fiction, that may engage notions of space, territoriality and border-crossing. We will also consider the translation of scholarly articles into English.

GUIDELINES FOR SCHOLARLY ARTICLES - Essays should be between 15-25 pages, and adhere to current MLA standards. Please submit your article in MLA format, with title, but no name in the body of the text. On a separate sheet, please include the title of your article, your name, contact information, and a brief biographical paragraph.

GUIDELINES FOR TRANSLATIONS - Only previously unpublished translations will be accepted. Translators must obtain necessary permissions for translation of texts prior to submission, and will be expected to assist in obtaining permission for publication of originals in the case of poetry. Submissions without accompanying permissions will not be considered.

Please submit your translations with a title, but no name in the body of the text. On a separate sheet, please include the title of your submission(s), your name, contact information, and a brief biographical paragraph. In addition to your biographical sheet, please include a brief bio of the translated author, and a reflection on their work and the challenges of its translation, for an international English speaking audience.

Poetry submissions should be limited to 3 per entrant. Poetry translations may be to or from English and should be submitted along with the original text for side-by-side publication.

For short fiction submissions, 7-10 pages is the preferred length. For translated scholarly articles, the 15-25 page guideline is the same. We also welcome excerpts from larger works in progress (theater, novel, short story, collections) as long as proper permissions are obtained prior to submission.

As a non-profit, scholarly journal, we cannot offer payment for submissions.

DEADLINE - Submissions will be accepted electronically through January 10, 2009 at ucsbtranslation@gmail.com

Updates can be found at our website: http://www.ihc.ucsb.edu/research/translation/journal.html

The United Nations will hold competitive examinations in early February 2009 (exact dates to be announced) to recruit English-language Editors and Translators/Précis-writers. Interested applicants must have:

• A perfect command of English, which must be their main language
• Excellent knowledge of French and one additional official United Nations language (i.e., Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish)
• A first-level degree from a university or institution of equivalent status

Applicants may sit either or both examinations, which will be held on successive days. Successful candidates may be recruited by the United Nations to fill vacancies as they occur at Headquarters in New York or at duty stations in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, Nairobi, Santiago or Vienna.

The examinations notice, application form and examination samples may be downloaded from the website of the United Nations Office of Human Resources Management . Applications must be received by 30 November 2008.
  

Citing an increased work load in his freelance translation business, Al Favela has announced that he is stepping down from his position as AATIA Director of Finance, effective immediately. The Board is grateful to Al for his years of service to the Association in this capacity.

Members interested in volunteering for the role of Director of Finance are asked to contact Secretary Julie Nordskog.

Submissions are now being accepted for TransLit Volume 8, a special themed issue titled “Poetry and Short Stories of the Americas” that will be published in spring 2009 by the Literary Translation Collective of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta (ATIA) in cooperation with the Literary Translators’ Association of Canada (LTAC).

Interested translators may submit a short (<2500 words) translation to or from one of the four main languages of the Americas (English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese) or any indigenous language along with the original text. The original or translation must be in English or French. The submission should include brief biographies of the translator and the author, permission to publish from the author and publisher, and bibliographical data for the original.

Send submissions by July 1, 2008 to:

Editors, TransLit Volume 8
School of Translation and Interpretation
University of Ottawa
Arts Building, 4th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
CANADA K1N 6N5

Contact editors Marc Charron or Luise von Flotow for more information.

Source, the Newsletter of the ATA’s Literary Division, will take the form of an online newsletter and has issued a call for submissions for its August 2008 issue.

The newsletter provides “a forum for activities, issues, and humor pertaining to the tricky craft of literary translation.” It seeks contributions of general interest to literary translators: reviews, news, articles of general interest, interviews, photos, cartoons, fora, and conundra.

If you would like to host a regular column or wish to contribute to the August issue—deadline for submissions is June 15—contact Editor Michele Aynesworth.

Beginning literary translators may now apply for travel funds to attend the 2008 conference of the American Literary Translators Association in Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota, on October 15–18. To apply, send a letter that includes the applicant’s curriculum vitae, ten double-spaced pages of translation into English, and the original foreign language text to:

ALTA Travel Fellowship Award c/o UTDallas 800 W. Campbell Road - JO51 Richardson, TX 75020-3021 Attention: Lindy Jolly

Application deadline is May 15.

The Translators and Interpreters Practice Lab, better known as TIP-Lab, is offering its 18th Spanish Translation/Revision Workshop, specially designed and tailored for professionals working in any country of the world who translate from English into Spanish. It will run from July through December 2008.

Texts translated by the participants will be reviewed by Leandro Wolfson, a nationally known translator from Argentina who specializes in human and social sciences, and returned to the participants with revisions and annotated comments.

The workshop will cover general interest topics with no particular focus on specialized terminology or subject matter. Only applicants with extensive translation experience and full (native or highly proficient) command of Spanish (written form) and English (comprehension) will be accepted. For evaluation of their proficiency, applicants must submit a short narrative in Spanish (approximately 250 words) in which they describe their professional training and activities and the reason why they want to participate.

The American Translators Association has approved the workshop for continuing education (CE) credits. The Harvie Jordan Foundation is offering five $100 scholarships to qualified AATIA members.

Workshop fee is US$250 per participant (US$30 non-refundable administrative fee included in this amount). Registration deadline is Monday, June 16, 2008. We encourage AATIA members to register by March 1, since registrations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis until the quota is filled. Download the brochure for more information and the application form.