In Their Own Words

In Their Own Words is a reading group for translators’ memoirs and reflections. Attendance is free and open to all translators, near and far, working in any language pair, who have an interest in the background questions, the theory and ethics of translation, and would like to read translators’ thoughts about their work.

Join us for a three-part workshop in which we will read and discuss extracts from Jen Calleja’s sort-of translation memoir Fair: The Life-Art of Translation.

Fair is a playful, yet poignant take on the translation memoir and autofiction genre, using the trope of the book/art/fun fair, in which every stall and ride stands in for a translation gig, personal event or dilemma to be navigated. Calleja reflects on her upbringing in a British-Maltese working class household, and uses her personal experience to ask questions of the publishing industry: who can and cannot access the profession? Can you make a living as a translator/artist/musician in the UK today? What counts as success in the creative industries?

Extracts being discussed will be shared in advance of the session via our mailing list, and we would ask you to read and reflect on them in preparation for the sessions. We also highly encourage participants to support writers and small publishers and consider ordering a copy of the book from your local bookshop.

The discussion group takes place online via Zoom from 6.30pm to 8.00pm, and is free to attend.

REGISTRATION

New members are asked to register here ideally at least three days prior to the event, in order to be included in our mailing list for reading material.Please note: Those already on the mailing list do not have to register again.

You might also be interested in our Translators’ Stammtisch which focuses on practical translation questions and discusses participating translators’ translation projects-in-progress.

Further information can be found on the Goethe-Institut Glasgow events page.