The translation of comics shows certain specificities inherent to the medium that transcend its interlinguistic dimension (Reyns-Chikuma &
Tarif 2016). Consequently, it is commonly defined as a hybrid discipline conditioned by an equally hybrid medium that blurs the boundaries
between the categories seeing/reading through texts, paratexts and images. In such a context, we can re-read John Berger’s words under
new light: “It is seeing which establishes our place in the surrounding world; we explain that world with words, but words can never undo
the fact that we are surrounded by it” (Berger 1972: 7). What happens when our sight reads/sees a comic? How do translators reproduce
such seeing beyond words? Which tools do they use to render culture-specific items, sound symbolic words, non-linguistic signs and
typography? Are translations conditioned by the elements of the visual lexicon, such as page, panel, gutter or speech balloon (Cohn
2013)? In this negotiation with a visual and textual medium, translators occupy an inter-mediation space in culturally-determined semiotic
environments (Zanettin 2009).
We invite scholars working in translation studies, comics studies and related fields to send proposals dealing with the intercultural,
intermodal and interlinguistic sides in the translation of comics and webcomics. Articles can include, but are by no means limited to, the
following:
- Specificities of the translation of comics
- Translation of paratexts and visual lexicon in comics
- Analysis of translated comics
- Translation and reception of comic genres and traditions
- Comic and cultural translation
- Translating humour in comics
- The comic publishing sector and translation
- The professionalization of comic translation
- Fanslation and scanlation
Deadline for submissions: 30 November 2020
For more information, click here
Call for Papers:Conference: Breaking Barriers in Creative Translation (BBCT).Venue: Mons, Belgium.Date: 18-20 Nov 2026.Themes and topics: Exploring fictional worldsApplication of new technologies to creative textsTransmedia analysesStylistic analysesAssessment of creativity in translation contextsRendering of humourRetranslationEthics and professional deontologyTranslation under constraintsCreativity and didacticsCognitive issues in creative translationKey dates: Submission: 07/09/2026Notification: 09/10/2026Registration: 01/11/2026Conference: 18-20/11/2026More details: https://bbct.sciencesconf.org/?lang=en
Call for Papers:Journal: Translation Studies, Special Issue, 21(2), 2028.Theme: "Translation as Post-Occupational Practice? How Non-Professional (Human and Algorithmic) Translators are Driving the New Value Economy".Guest-editors: Lynne Bowker and Luis Perez-Gonzalez.Key dates:31 October 2026: Submission of Abstracts15 December 2026: Decision on Abstracts30 April 2027: Submission Paper for Peer Review30 November 2027: Submission Final ManuscriptMay 2028: Publication DateMore info: https://cfp-translationstudies.my.canva.site/
Call for Papers:Conference: The International Conference Translating and Interpreting in the Era of Algorithms (TIERA).Date: October 9th-11th, 2026Organised by the Department of Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpreting and the MA Science of Translation of the Ionian University.Themes:Translation Technologies and Human AgencyThe Creative Translator and the Algorithmic TurnEthics, Justice, and Responsibility in the Age of AutomationInterpreting FuturesAudiovisual Translation and AccessibilityPedagogical Shifts in Translator and Interpreter EducationCultural Mediation and Posthuman TranslationLegal, Institutional, and Policy PerspectivesIntralingual TranslationTranslation CriticismSubmission Deadline: 20 June 2026.Read more: https://conferences.ionio.gr/tiera/en/about/
Call for Papers:Symposium: Multilingual Archives, New Perspectives: China and the Sinophone World at the End of the Cold WarOrganiser: ALTER research groupLocation: Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), BarcelonaDate: Mid-May 2027Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 June 2026Limited travel subsidies may be available, with priority given to early-career participants with limited access to funding.More info: https://blogs.uoc.edu/alter/symposium-multilingual-archives-new-perspectives/
Call for Papers:Conference: International Writing Workshops in Jordan for Translation StudiesAbout:The conference programme is designed for early-career scholars with a strong commitment to publishing high-quality research in translation and interpreting who feel that additional training and support would help them achieve this goal. The aim is for all participants to have an article draft ready for submission to an international journal by April 2028.What’s included?Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs to attend the workshops are fully coveredVisiting researcher status at Queen’s University Belfast, July 2026 – April 2028. This provides free access to online library resources.Mentoring (August 2026-April 2028). Participants will have three mentoring meetings with either Professor Baker, Professor Harding or Dr Sadler to give individualised support and feedback over the course of the programme.Workshop 1 – Research design and planning (February 2027). Topics will include: what international journals in translation studies are looking for and how they assess submissions; the publication process; key issues in research design and methodology; emerging areas of research in translation and interpreting researchWorkshop 2 – Refining your work for submission and wider academic skills development (August 2027). Topics will include: refining drafts from ‘nearly finished’ to ‘finished’; performing and responding to peer review; applying for research grants and collaborating internationallyOnline symposium (March 2028) – participants will be invited to share their work in an online symposium to enable final refinement before submission and receive feedback on presentation skills.You may apply by completing and submitting the following form at https://lnkd.in/e8zdeibq by 17:00 GMT Saturday 20 June 2026.More details: https://www.monabaker.org/2026/05/13/call-for-participants-international-writing-workshops-in-jordan-for-translation-studies/
