General Information

Current Conference | 2011 Conference | 2010 Conference

For over thirty years, ALTA members and literary translation aficionados from all regions of the United States and abroad have convened for a vibrant four days each October or November in continually changing venues across the country and, occasionally, in Canada and Mexico. The wide range of activities that participants can engage in includes:

• Stimulating panel discussions on all aspects of literary translation
• Bilingual Readings that include recently published translations and translations in progress
• Keynote Speakers
• Readings by the ALTA Fellows, who represent the next generation of literary translators
• Workshops that focus on translation strategies and techniques for specific languages and genres, e.g., Spanish poetry
• An exhibit of books featuring recently published translations of literature from around the world
• The opportunity to connect with publishers
• The chance to network with colleagues old and new

Conference participants have additional opportunities to network and get to know each other at the Thursday night dinner, at which the National Translation Award is presented, at the Saturday morning group breakfast, and at numerous informal get-togethers that are organized — or just happen when translators get to talking with each other.

In addition, the much-beloved ¡DECLAMACIÓN! — a night of performance featuring the recitation of literary translations committed to memory (more or less!) — genially tops off the spate of more serious-minded conference events.

Other events have included staged readings of a drama translation, often coupled with a round-table discussion including the play’s translator, director, and, when possible, writer.

In short, the ALTA Annual conference remains a refreshingly collegial gathering of amateurs and professionals alike, both within the profession and outside it, though all wholeheartedly committed to fostering, furthering, and supporting the unique practice of literary translation.