Marshall University will host a discussion with acclaimed literary translator Megan McDowell on March 5. The event, titled “At the Limits of Language: Creativity in Translational Problems,” will take place at 7 p.m. in the Drinko Library Atrium. It is free and open to the public.
Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, has announced an upcoming event featuring Megan McDowell, a prominent translator of Latin American literature. The discussion, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, in the Drinko Library Atrium on the library's third floor, explores creativity in addressing translational challenges.
McDowell, originally from Richmond, Kentucky, and now residing in Santiago, Chile, has translated works by contemporary Latin American authors such as Samanta Schweblin, Mariana Enriquez, and Alejandro Zambra. Her contributions to English-language literature include award-winning translations that have received the National Book Award for Translated Literature, the English PEN award, the Premio Valle-Inclán, and two O. Henry Prizes. She has also been nominated four times for the International Booker Prize and once for the Kirkus Prize. Additionally, her short story translations have appeared in publications including The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The New York Times Magazine, Tin House, McSweeney’s, and Granta. In 2020, McDowell received an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Daniel O’Malley, associate professor of English and co-director of the Herd Humanities program, praised McDowell in a university release: “Megan is one of the most highly regarded translators of Latin American literature working today. She’s responsible for making so many acclaimed, innovative, exciting contemporary voices available in English. For me personally, seeing her name on a book works like an endorsement or a seal of approval — if Megan finds this writer compelling, then absolutely they are worth your time.”
O’Malley further noted the event's value: “It can feel daunting sometimes to navigate the world of literature beyond your own native language, so having Megan talk about that experience is sure to be insightful. For our students, this is a wonderful opportunity to hear from someone who is not only an internationally acclaimed translator but also a native of Appalachia. She has the experience to help students — or anyone — see ways to build a life around their passions for language and literature.”
The presentation is sponsored by Herd Humanities, The John Deaver Drinko Academy, Marshall Libraries, and The Honors College at Marshall University.