Latest news
Counterpoint
Counterpoint is an e-zine for everyone interested in literary translation. Whether you are a translator, publisher, agent, researcher, student or journalist, or just have a general interest in literature across borders, the European book market, and in the people that shape both, there will be something in Counterpoint of interest to you.
We report on what’s going on inside CEATL, and we look outside as well. We present feature articles about translators and translating and deal with the broad cultural, artistic and economic context of our work. We intend Counterpoint to live up to its name and be a place where independent and sometimes contrasting voices come together and form a stronger and more enthralling whole, much like the art of literary translation itself.
Counterpoint is free of charge and published twice a year in English and French.
This month we present…
Auteursbond (Netherlands)
Our Dutch delegate Lammie Post-Oostenbrink says: “Our association has existed in various forms since 1905, but it took the name ‘Auteursbond’ in 2017, to signify that all writers in various forms can become members. It’s a broad church for writers and poets, translators, freelance journalists, and many more. The translators’ section is one of the biggest: it’s fantastic that so many translators think it’s important to become a member, because there is strength in numbers!”
Auteursbond is a very active association, it negotiates contracts on behalf of its members and organises various workshops for members and non-members: from “how to negotiate” and “how to read a royalty statement” to translation of firearm terms! The main translators’ event is without doubt De Vertaaldagen (Translating Days), organised every year in December and packed with workshops and lectures by fellow translators and experts in the field about a special theme. This year’s theme is “The Times, They Are a-Changin’”, and you guessed it, it is all about how translators can navigate the newest technology such as AI.
Moreover, the Nederlands Letterenfonds Vertaalprijs is awarded: one to a translator from a foreign language INTO Dutch in odd years, and another to a translator FROM Dutch in even years. It’s a recognition for the work those translators do for their respective languages and the promotion of the writers/books they translate.
“Of course, it’s not all work and no play, because we love to see each other and talk about anything and everything. For many of us Vertaaldagen are more like a reunion and a place to make new translator friends”, says Lammie Post-Oostenbrink.
Photo credit: ©Chris van Houts