Special Issue 4 - Call for Papers

2026-04-11

Theme: Historical Contexts of Translation

Guest Editor: Professor Theo Hermans

Deadline for submissions: November 1, 2026
Submission link: https://journals.ysu.am/index.php/transl-stud

The historical study of translation has come a long way in recent decades. There are comprehensive national and supra-national histories of translation along with a vast array of individual case studies. Several book-length reflections on translation historiography have been published, as well as handbooks and textbooks. There is a specialised journal and an international association with its own conference series. 

For their part, professional historians have turned to transnational, transcultural and global history, and, in so doing, discovered translation and its complexities. In some cases, their observations on translation closely resemble those made by translation scholars.

What the convergence between translation studies and professional historiography shows above all is that translations are made in conditions and for purposes that extend well beyond translation. They reflect specific sets of relations, serve concrete agendas, open or foreclose opportunities, and generate meanings enabled by prevailing contexts.

We are inviting contributions on topics such as:

  • Reading historical translations as part of broader historical developments. If translations are made for a purpose, it is worth asking about the state of affairs individual translations aim to have an impact on.
  • Determining the material conditions of translation production at certain moments in time: assessing the role of publishers, patrons, financiers, institutions, censors, audiences; costs, payments, prices, profits; book formats, fonts, presses; distributors and distribution channels. 
  • Tracing historical networks, contacts, interpersonal connections to reveal personal and collective agendas, illustrate the collaborative nature of translation or link individual agents to the world in which they operate.
  • Studying historical translation is specific settings such as education, journalism, science, propaganda, conversion, conflict, regeneration or containment.

N.B.

Manuscripts must be original, in English and not under review elsewhere. 

Manuscripts should be no shorter than 5,000 words and no longer than 10,000 words, including references and footnotes.

All submissions undergo double-blind peer review.

Accepted papers will be published in Special Issue 4 of TSTP.

Please follow the author guidelines available at: https://journals.ysu.am/index.php/transl-stud

For questions, contact us at tstp.ysu@gmail.com or tstp@ysu.am

Article processing charges apply: https://journals.ysu.am/index.php/transl-stud/apch