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The Translation Committee of PEN American Center has made available the 1999 edition of A Handbook for Literary Translators. This, the fully revised fourth edition of the Handbook,
a valued information resource for translators, is now accessible free
of charge in either an on-line version or as a downloadable Microsoft
Word document.
The new Handbook addresses
the many challenges facing translators today, including the continuing
consolidation and globalization of the publishing industry and the
decline in the number of translations published annually. The section
"A Translator's Model Contract" (accompanied by explanatory notes)
serves to guide beginning and experienced translators through the
process of contract preparation and negotiation. The fourth edition now
includes a convenient "Do's and Don't's" section, highlighting key
points in the contract negotiation experience. The section on royalty
payments has also been brought up to date, and incorporates an
alternate royalty clause that should be of interest to translators and
publishers alike. Also included in the fourth edition is an expanded
discussion of international copyright issues as they relate to the art
of literary translation.
Throughout the Handbook the
emphasis is on professionalism and mutual responsibility. It is the PEN
Translation Committee's hope that, using the Handbook as their guide,
translators will continue to negotiate vigorously for adequate
compensation and professional recognition.
Capitalizing on the success of the Translation Committee's past
lobbying efforts to persuade the Library of Congress to recognize
translators as creative individuals both committed and essential to a
work's success, the Handbook outlines the requirements needed to ensure that the translator's name is properly catalogued.
The "Resources" section of the Handbook has
been completely updated for this edition. It now includes a
bibliography of works on translation history and theory, a list of
journals, professional organizations, university translation programs,
and residencies, and a valuable guide to translation prizes and grants.
Reflecting the growth of electronic media and the World Wide Web, the
new "Resources" section also includes URLs for many entries.
The PEN Translation Committee is pleased to offer this resource free
of charge.
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