NEA Grant Supports Translation Center’s Mission

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded an Access to Artistic Excellence grant to the Center for Translation Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas.

The $25,000 grant will support professional development opportunities and publications for literary translators via the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA).  The organization, whose national offices are located at the Center for Translation Studies at UT Dallas, provides essential services to literary translators from all languages and creates a professional forum for the exchange of ideas on the art and craft of literary translation.

Dr. Rainer Schulte, a professor of translation studies and a co-founder of ALTA, says the organization has received an NEA grant practically every year for more than 20 years.  He said the  the funding will “promote the continued publication of the Translation Review and Annotated Books Received, maintain and continue to develop our website presence and help support our annual conference.”

Schulte says ALTA, which was founded in 1978,  supports a vital purpose.

“Literary translation creates a dialogue, allowing you to see things from other perspectives and world views,” he said. “It bridges the delicate emotional connections between cultures and languages and furthers the understanding of human beings across national borders.”