A Talented Few? Exploring the Trajectories of Prize-Winning Literary Translators
A Talented Few? Exploring the Trajectories of Prize-Winning Literary Translators

Summary/Abstract: Within the hierarchy of the wider translational professions, it is commonly accepted that literary translators enjoy a privileged position. However, it is only comparatively recently that this recognition – in the form of international awards and prizes for translated literary works – has come to broader public attention. In the British context, two of the most prestigious literary translation awards are the Booker International Prize (relaunched in 2015) and the EBRD Literature Prize (first awarded in 2018). In recognising growing scholarly interest in literary translators themselves and their biographies, this contribution aims to contextualise the history and development of these awards, before focusing attention on the pre-award career trajectories of the prize-winning translators. Using information from a variety of sources, this contribution aims to see if there are any factors – such as age, gender, or educational background – that this high-performing set have in common. As such, it is planned to provide useful exploratory information on the composition of this select and talented group of literary translators.

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