Translating In & Out of the Ivory Tower

Translators of fiction and nonfiction often find their professional circles overlapping with the academic universe. We might translate books by noted experts, contend for academic awards, handle criticism from scholars, and ask professors to review our books and teach them in their classes. In this revised and expanded talk, two NOTIS translators will discuss their experience navigating aspects of these overlapping worlds.

Zakiya Hanafi will present an overview of the opportunities offered in the scholarly translation market, some of the professional skills required to succeed, and a roadmap of the publication process, from receiving an offer to seeing a manuscript through production.

Shelley Fairweather-Vega will discuss some of the real and imagined differences between independent translators and translators who hold academic positions, and explore the real benefits freelance translators can gain by working closely with their counterparts at universities.

These two short presentations will be followed by a general discussion with Q&A.