European Translations

Texts and Translations book series

MHRA Translations is a major programme to edit and reissue historical translations which played an important part in the reception of European literature, but which are now inaccessible; and to commission new translations into English of works hitherto translated imperfectly or not at all. Titles appear in three broad series:

  • Tudor and Stuart Translations draws from the wealth of continental and classical texts coming to English in the Tudor and Stuart periods.
  • European Translations has a more general remit, making available translations or dramatic adaptations important in the reception history of any period up to 1900, and from and into any European language.
  • New Translations brings major works into reliable English translation for the first time.

Proposals. For European Translations, proposals are invited from prospective authors who should submit a completed Book Proposal Form. Selections from different works by single authors, and anthologised selections from diverse translated authors, may be included. Proposals will normally relate to translations first published pre-1900. Each volume will include a substantial introduction, and textual and explanatory notes which will not however attempt to be exhaustive (notes should normally occupy no more than 10% of the total word-count). The introduction will describe the ways in which this particular translation (or these translations) shaped literary and/or intellectual currents in the receiving culture, and will provide a coherently argued account of the omissions and distortions of the translation/s. In the case of drama, adaptations as well as translations will be considered. Where feasible, editions will take the form of parallel texts (using the text from which the translator worked). Spelling will not be modernised, but, to facilitate searchability, a glossary including older or inconsistent spellings will, if relevant, be part of the end-matter. As well as a glossary, editions will provide a bibliography and index. Copyright issues will vary somewhat according to the language/s concerned. It will be the responsibility of the proposer to make a clear statement about copyright status on submission of the proposal.

Review copies. Journals wishing to review books in this series should please contact mail@mhra.org.uk to request copies.

Subvention. Authors in this series are not required to raise any subsidy or subvention, but are responsible in the usual way if any rights fees arise from illustrations or other copyright material included.

Mailing List. To sign up to the European Translations mailing list, please email europeantranslations@mhra.org.uk. This mailing list is only used to announce new titles or important changes to the series. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose.

History. MHRA's wider Translations project is an expansion following the successful launch in 2008 of Tudor and Stuart Translations, with New Translations and European Translations coming on stream in 2010 and 2011.

Editorial Board

  • Chair: Dr Ann Lewis (Birkbeck, University of London)
  • French: Dr Ann Lewis (Birkbeck, University of London)
  • Germanic: Professor Ritchie Robertson (University of Oxford)
  • Italian: Professor Helena Sanson (University of Cambridge)
  • Portuguese: Professor David Treece (King's College London)
  • Slavonic: Professor David Gillespie (University of Bath)
  • Spanish: Professor Duncan Wheeler (University of Leeds)
  • Spanish: Professor Jonathan Thacker (University of Oxford)