Announcement of the Shortlist for the
2024 Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Translation Prize
The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) in celebration of International Translation Day announces the shortlist for the 2024 Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Translation Prize, a $10,000 award for the best English translation of a work originally written in Spanish.
The six finalist translations were selected by a distinguished Reading Committee composed of experts in the discipline of translation: Committee Chair Samantha Schnee, founding editor of Words Without Borders; Charlotte Whittle, Writer and Award-winning Literary Translator from Spanish; and Amalia Gladhart, writer, translator, and Professor of Spanish at the University of Oregon. In addition, the renowned Spanish author Carmen Posadas, member of the Institute’s Cultural Committee in the field of literature, acts as an advisor to the prize.
The jury faced a challenging task due to the high caliber and remarkable skill demonstrated in each of the submitted translations. Each work reflected a profound understanding of both language and cultural nuances, showcasing a level of talent that elevated the competition to an extraordinary standard.
The finalists include translations of works written by renowned authors from Spain and Latin America whose impact on literature is celebrated internationally, such as Rosa Beltrán, Javier Marías and Alejo Carpentier.
Shortlist for the 2024 QSSI Translation Prize:
- “Cross-Stitch” by Jazmina Barrera, translated by Christina MacSweeney, published by Two Lines Press
- “Free Radicals” by Rosa Beltrán, translated by Robin Myers, published by Hablemos Escritoras / Katakana Editores
- “January” by Sarah Gallardo, translated by Frances Riddle and Maureen Shaughnessy, published by Archipelago Books
- “Recital of the Dark Verses” by Luis Felipe Fabre, translated by Heather Cleary, published by Deep Vellum
- “The Lost Steps” by Alejo Carpentier, translated by Adrian Nathan West, published by Penguin Classics
- “Tomás Nevinson” by Javier Marías, translated by Margaret Jull Costa, published by Alfred A. Knopf
The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Translation Prize aims to recognize the fundamental role of translators in making relevant and topical literary works accessible to a global audience.
The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute 2024 Translation Prize Ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 21st at the Espacio de Culturas at the KJCC at New York University. The event will be attended by leading figures from the world of literature and translation. The event is open to the public, and to attend guests must RSVP here.
