Background:
As part of a project developed by the translators Daniel Hahn and Ros Schwartz, a new one-off literary translation residency for 2022 is being set up to be based in Birmingham.
The project is funded by Arts Council England and will be run in partnership with Writing West Midlands and Aston University.
A similar project will take place in the North East, and information about this residency can be provided upon request.
The role:
The translator will be “in residence” from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023; working times will vary from month to month depending on activities planned, but it is estimated that the resident will do the equivalent of 25-30 days of work during the ten-month period.
The residency is intended to encourage an interest in literary translation and translated literature, and the valuing of languages, among communities in and around Birmingham. This might be done through workshops, talks and other public engagement and collaborative participation projects.
While the exact shape of the programme will be developed by the selected translator in partnership with Writing West Midlands and Aston University, it is expected to include work both within the university community and around Birmingham more widely with a range of local partner organisations (some of whom may not have worked with translation before).
Aston University work might involve students, faculty and other staff. Partners outside the university might include literary festivals and other arts organisations, libraries, local heritage language speakers and other audience groups.
The Translator in Residence will receive a stipend of £5,500. A small expenses budget is also available.1
The person:
A professional literary translator working from any language into English is sought. Having proficiency in one or more community language(s) spoken in Birmingham is desirable, though not essential.
The selected translator will have some experience of leading workshops and/or other public engagement activities.
Priority may be given to translators who live in or near Birmingham.
Details:
Deadline: Monday 14 February 2022, 5pm
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by e-mail by Friday 18 February 2022.
Those shortlisted will be invited for interview on Zoom on the afternoon of Wednesday 23 February 2022.
Writing West Midlands welcomes applicants regardless of race or colour, nationality or national or ethnic origin, religion or religious belief, sex or marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age.
Writing West Midlands regrets that in the event of a large volume of applications we may not be able to contact non-shortlisted applicants or offer individual feedback.
Apply Now:
If you have any queries about the role, please contact Jonathan Davidson.
To apply, please send a CV and letter of application, detailing your suitability for the role and what you would hope to do with the residency if you were offered the position, to Jonathan Davidson with the subject line “Translator in Residence”.