Mission Statement

Since its first national conference in 1978, the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) has fulfilled a unique mission to literary translators throughout the world. In two decades, ALTA has emerged as a broad-based organization dedicated to the promotion of literary translation through services to literary translators, forums on the theory and practice of translation, collaboration with the international literary community, and advocacy on behalf of the literary translator. ALTA is the only organization in the United States dedicated solely to literary translation. 

ALTA members receive Translation Review, which publishes interviews with translators; articles on the theory and practice of translation, on the teaching of translation in colleges and universities, and on the application of translation methodologies for the interpretation of literary works; profiles on publishers and developing trends in publishing literary translations; and reviews that focus specifically on the translation process and the evaluation of translations. ALTA's Annotated Books Received lists recent translations together with an annotation for each entry. The ALTA Newsletter contains current information on membership, grants, conferences, prizes, and other matters of interest to the profession. The ALTA Guides to Literary Translation offer practical advice for both beginning and experienced translators. ALTA awards fellowships to beginning translators for travel to and participation in the ALTA annual conferences. Each year ALTA also presents the National Translation Award to an outstanding translation of literature. 

ALTA maintains a constantly expanding website that currently features translation activities, membership information, news of the annual conference, the pages of the Annotated Books Received, and a current index of Translation Review.

ALTA's annual conference provides an opportunity for literary translators to present their newest translations, to share their experiences and insights, and to discuss common problems. Past conferences have included panels, workshops, and discussions on the difficulties of translating literary works from various languages and genres; practical sessions on professional, legal, and publishing matters; panels on the practice and theory of translation; discussions on the development of translation courses and workshops in colleges and universities; and strategies to improve the recognition of the translator in our contemporary world.  Distinguished translators, scholars, and writers including Margaret Sayers Peden, Edith Grossman, William Weaver, Roger Shattuck, Gregory Rabassa, Robert Fagles, Sam Hazo, W.S. Merwin, Miroslav Holub, Carlos Fuentes and David Ferry have been featured speakers at ALTA conferences.  

ALTA's office is located at the University of Texas at Dallas and is currently funded by the university and dues and contributions from members. The McDermott Library at UTD houses a special Translation Collection that carries the new English translations of literary works, reference books and scholarly monographs on the practice and theory of translation. ALTA members have access to this special collection through interlibrary loan. The ALTA office acts as a clearinghouse for member services, including the ALTA Directory, ALTA Guides, information on translation programs nationwide and magazines that publish translations nationwide. 

The ALTA Annual Conference, a forum for discussion and recognition of current work in the profession, is the highlight of the year. At a gala reception, ALTA presents the National Translation Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in literary translation.