skip to main content
skip to main navigation

Translators

 
Latest News
The Digital Economy Bill
The US Google Book Settlement
ISA clearances for writers

View all news articles

News feeds

RSS

 

 

Translators Association

If you are a member of the Society, don't forget to log-in to access the members only information. Log-in here

The Translators Association was set up in 1958 to provide translators with an effective means of protecting their interest and sharing their concerns. The TA is a source of expert advice, a representative for individuals, and an advocate for the profession as a whole.

It is run by a Committee of 10 elected members and has its own decision-making structure. Join the TA and you will have the company of like-minded people, encouragement, and practical help in the solitary work that is all your own.

Six reasons to join the TA

  • Contract vetting: individual advice on your publishing contracts
  • Business advice and support on professional issues
  • Meetings and workshops on literary and professional topics, and social events
  • In addition to The Author, the journal of the Society of Authors, TA members receive In Other Words, the journal of the British Centre for Literary Translation
  • Publications: The Society produces a number of Quick Guides on a range of topics of interest to all writers, including Copyright and Moral Rights, Libel, and Publishing Contracts. The guide to Translator/Publisher Contracts contains a model agreement and is available to download in the members' section. The guide is also available to non-members for £10. To order your copy click here
  • Access to two free email discussion groups run by BCLT/the British Council, and member Trista Selous

How do I Join?

The TA is a group within the Society of Authors. To join you must have one full-length work, or its equivalent, published or accepted for publication. Membership of the Society costs £90 per annum (£64 if you are under 35). You can download a form from the membership page, or contact the office if you would like us to post the form to you.

For further information about the business of translation, see our Translation FAQS

For further information about the Translators Association please contact the Secretary, Sarah Burton.

50 Outstanding Translations

In 2008, to mark the 50th anniversary of the TA, the Committee compiled a list of 50 outstanding translations from the last 50 years – a sampler, to provoke thought, and get people talking. It’s by no means definitive, and many wonderful translations and eminent translators are missing, but here’s our list.

Translation Prizes

The Society of Authors administers prizes for published translations from Arabic, Dutch/Flemish, French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish. The prizes are awarded at the annual Sebald Lecture, in partnership with BCLT. Readings from the winning books also take place at this event. See list of winners.

There are a number of translation prizes run by other organisations, including those for translations from Hebrew, from Russian, of children's literature, dramatic works, and fiction. See our related links section at the bottom of this page for further information.

Rates

The TA suggests a minimum rate of remuneration for the translation of poetry and prose:

•    £85 per 1,000 words for prose
•    £1.00 per line for poetry

Translators are free to negotiate whether they are paid a fee based on the original source material or on the final text, but be sure to agree the basis in advance. When negotiating your fee please bear in mind that specialist skills -e.g. translating poetry, languages that use pictorial symbols or expertise in the subject area - may command a premium. When accepting a short poetry commission you may want to negotiate a minimum payment of say, £25, or one which reasonably reflects the value of your time. Rates are regularly reviewed.

Sebald Lecture

The annual Sebald Lecture, celebrating literature in translation, is organised by the British Centre for Literary Translation, and commemorates W.G. “Max” Sebald, who founded BCLT in 1989.

In Other Words

The British Centre for Literary Translation produces a journal for literary translators biannually, with support from the TA, which is sent to all TA members.

Non-members can also subscribe to the journal. For further details, or a subscription form, please contact Catherine Fuller at BCLT c.fuller@uea.ac.uk

International Links

The TA is represented on the following international bodies:

  • CEATL (Conseil Européen des Associations de Traducteurs Littéraires) TA representative: Ros Schwartz
  • FIT (International Federation of Translators) TA representative at the FIT 2008 Congress: Amanda Hopkinson