The American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) announced the 2024 National Translation Awards (NTAs) winners on October 26 at its annual conference in Milwaukee, United States. The awards recognize translators who deliver international literary works to English-speaking audiences. Now in their 26th year, the NTAs are the only awards that require evaluation of both the source text and its English translation. The Poetry and Prose categories each receive a $4,000 award.
This year, Cole Swensen won in the poetry category for her translation of And the Street by Pierre Alferi, published by Green Linden Press. According to the judges, Swensen’s translation captures the essence of Alferi’s experimental style and observations on contemporary life. Kazim Ali, Ronnie Apter, and Mary Jo Bang served as poetry judges.
In prose, Jamie Richards was recognized for her translation of The Hunger of Women by Marosia Castaldi, published by And Other Stories. The judges say Castaldi’s work, as translated by Richards, presents a complex narrative that explores identity and tradition. The 2024 prose category judges included Philip Boehm, Shelley Fairweather-Vega, Will Forrester, Joon-Li Kim, and Poupeh Missaghi.
“ALTA is honored to recognize Cole Swensen and Jamie Richards as the winners of the 2024 National Translation Awards in Poetry and Prose, respectively,” said ALTA President Chenxin Jiang. “We are proud to administer the National Translation Awards, which turn the spotlight on a number of accomplished translators, writers, and the publishers who make it possible for these marvelous books to appear in English.”
Additionally, this year marks the inaugural ALTA First Translation Prize, which recognizes the work of emerging literary translators and their editors. The translator receives $2,000, and $1,000 is shared by the editors. The 2024 winner is Jennifer Shyue for her translation of The Enlightenment of Katzuo Nakamatsu by Augusto Higa Oshiro (published by Archipelago Books).
Finally, the Spain-USA Foundation Translation Award winner, Adrian Nathan West, will receive a $5,000 prize for his translation of Open Heart by Elvira Lindo (published by Other Press).
Previous NTA winners include Robyn Creswell (2023 Poetry) and Nguyễn An Lý (2023 Prose).
