Who is allowed to translate whom – and if so, why not?

Ever since the discussion about who “may” translate Amanda Gorman’s poem The Hill We Climb, the public has been asking: Is this woke or delusional? In conversation with two people who should know, we want to shed light on the extent to which the concept of cultural appropriation is valid in the context of classic translation criteria such as empathy or competence.

Michael Ebmeyer publishes short stories, novels and non-fiction books; he translates from English, Spanish and Catalan for publishers, media and museums. His areas of specialization include propaganda strategies of the New Right and the Catalan independence movement.

Judith N. Klein studied Romance and Jewish studies and habilitated with a thesis on literature and genocide. She publishes essays and literary texts, including a novel, and works as a translator from French (including de Beauvoir and Sartre).

Moderation: Regina Keil-Sagawe

In cooperation with

With the kind support of the Cultural Office of the City of Heidelberg