Slovak Association of Literary Translators and Editors

Aims and Goals

DoSlov aims to inform, unite, and advance the professional development and better working conditions of literary translators and editors through four core activities:

• Visibility
• Education
• Connecting
• Monitoring

Visibility

To enhance the visibility of literary translation professionals, we have developed a comprehensive member directory that showcases our literary translators and editors. This directory offers concise biographies, highlights of their translation accomplishments, and contact information, and is regularly updated to include new members.

An important medium for showcasing our work is Verzia – the quarterly journal of literature in translation, which is the sole Slovak periodical that spotlights world literature through Slovak translations. Each issue delves into literature from diverse regions, featuring excerpts, interviews with translators and literary experts, insightful articles, reviews, and reading recommendations. We also work on nurturing emerging talent through our „Translation Incubator“ by pairing aspiring translators with seasoned mentors. Upon the launch of each new issue, we organise public events featuring its authors and translators, promoting literary translation, underscoring its cultural significance, and engaging with potential new readers.

We also co-organise the TRANZ Literary Translation Festival in Banská Bystrica (6-7 May 2023, 3-4 May 2024).

Lastly, we draw attention to good practices in the publishing world that amplify the visibility of Slovak translators, thereby stimulating reader interest in Slovak translations.

Education

For literary translators and editors, continual education and ongoing feedback from experienced colleagues are essential to produce valuable and culturally apt literary translations. That is why we organise lectures and workshops focused on translation and literary editing, catering to professionals and recent graduates of translation programmes who aspire to enter the literary translation market.

We firmly believe that quality literature in translation hinges upon translators having conducive working conditions, a thorough understanding of their copyrights, and negotiation skills to secure fair contracts. In collaboration with LITA (civic association of authors), we offer copyright consultations that address individual concerns.

Through our social media and online platform, we disseminate information about interesting events, grants, and scholarships for translators. Additionally, publishers can access a comprehensive list of grant opportunities designed to bolster the publication of translations from diverse languages and literatures.

Connecting

The professions of literary translators and editors are intricately woven into the fabric of the publishing sector. DoSlov is committed to cultivating effective communication and fair conditions for collaboration across generations, professions, and institutions. This includes forging connections among translators, editors, publishers, and institutions dedicated to supporting literature in translation in Slovakia.

Our online directory of literary translators and editors provides a valuable resource for publishers, enabling them to search for translators based on source languages and specialization, as well as editors based on their professional profiles. Many publishers reach out to us for recommendations or references. One of our primary objectives is also to facilitate efficient collaboration between translators and editors.

Monitoring

We monitor the conditions of collaboration among literary translators, editors, and publishers: our inaugural survey on market conditions in literary translation was conducted in 2019. Since then, we have regularly revised statistical data pertaining to fees and working conditions. To date, it is the sole repository of such data in Slovakia.

We also consistently map the latest information and opportunities, including scholarships for translation, international mobility programmes, and creative translation residencies – both domestically and abroad.

Membership

Our association currently has 103 members, including 74 full members – experienced literary translators and editors, 26 trainees, and three honorary members.

Membership is voluntary and contingent upon the payment of an annual membership fee (EUR 30 for full members, EUR 20 for trainees), alongside adherence to the association’s statutes. Only translators and/or editors with relevant publications can become full members of DoSlov.