The British Centre for Literary Translation was founded in 1989 by the late WG 'Max' Sebald, author of The Emigrants, Rings of Saturn and Austerlitz (among others). Based at the University of East Anglia, and supported by Arts Council England, BCLT is Britain's foremost centre for the development, promotion and support of literary translation.
BCLT offers support and continuing professional development to literary translators at all stages of their career; develops new audiences through events and publications; and provides information and advice.
It also stimulates public awareness and interest in literary translation, and generates and encourages academic debate. Once a year, the Centre organises the Sebald Lecture, for which eminent speakers are invited to speak about an aspect of translation of their choosing. Previous speakers include Marina Warner and Louis de Bernieres.
Another highlight of BCLT's activity is their annual translation summer school, held at UEA every July. The week-long residency gives translators the opportunity to hone their skills in workshops run by experienced translators in a range of languages, as well as listen to lectures and meet other translators.
BCLT also works with Writers Centre Norwich and the Norfolk Library & Information Service to put on a celebration of international writing every June. The 2009 programme saw authors from China, India and Mexico, and a scattering of translators too, visiting Norfolk libraries to talk about their work.
In addition, the Centre publishes In Other Words, a quarterly journal for literary translators. Featuring news from the world of translation, reviews of recent titles and articles on subjects ranging from 'Oriya literature in English translation' to 'The multiple faces of Virginia Woolf in Taiwan', the journal provides an indispensible glimpse into the incredible work currently being done by translators.
A new BCLT website is currently under construction.
