The American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) was founded in 1978 to provide essential services to literary translators and to create a professional forum for the exchange of ideas on the art and craft of translation. Through an annual conference, newsletters, collaboration with other professional organizations, and the triquarterly publication of Translation Review, ALTA works to enhance the professional status of literary translators, and to provide forums for the theoretical and practical study of translation.
The central office of ALTA is located at the University of Texas at Dallas and is currently funded by the university and through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. ALTA is an international resource and reference center for translators and provides the following services to facilitate communication among translators, publishers, and authors: ALTA has established a translation database to provide a comprehensive bibliographical record of literary works in English translation published in books, journals, and anthologies. In addition, a special Translation Library collection, housed in the McDermott Library on the campus of UTD, features translated literary works available through interlibrary loan to ALTA members for translation studies. ALTA also gives annual awards for the best translation of literary works.
ALTA's annual conference provides an excellent opportunity for literary translators to share insights and common problems. Past conferences have included panels and discussions on the problems of translating from various languages and genres; practical sessions on professional, legal and publishing matters; sessions on translation theory; and discussions on the role of translation in the academy. Distinguished translators, including Margaret Sayers Peden, William Weaver, Roger Shattuck, and Gregory Rabassa, have been featured as keynote speakers at ALTA conferences.
ALTA members receive Translation Review, which regularly publishes interviews with eminent translators; articles on translation theory, practice, and pedagogy; profiles of publishers and reports on publishing practices; and book reviews that focus specifically on issues of translation. Members are encouraged to submit articles and reviews. The ALTA Newsletter contains current information on membership, grants, conferences, jobs, prizes, and other matters of interest to the profession. ALTA Annotated Books Received lists recent translations donated by publishers to ALTA's holdings.
ALTA invites the active participation of all those interested in literary translation. Annual membership runs for the calendar year and dues are as follows:
| Individual (US) US Renewal Student (US) Retired Individual (US) Double (2 at same address) Individual (Foreign) Library (US) Library (Foreign) Institutional |
$ 30 $ 60 $ 20 $ 40 $ 80 $ 70 $ 45 $ 75 $125 |
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