Richard Bjornson, Serge Gavronsky, André Lefevere, and Suzanne Levine discuss the status among professional translators and scholars of translations into English of Latin American and African literature. Beyond strictly literary or textual considerations, how do social and cultural elements–such as patronage and the demands of commercial publishing–affect translation? What are some important aesthetics and social responsibilities of literary translators in their various roles as cultural mediators?
At the time of this interview, Bjornson, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center (1982-83), was professor of comparative literature at Ohio State University. Gavronsky was professor of French at Barnard College of Columbia University. Lefevere was professor of comparative literature at the University of Georgia. Levine was professor of romance languages and literature at Tufts University.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
