August is celebrated as Women in Translation Month, a significant time dedicated to highlighting the voices of women authors whose works have been translated into other languages. This initiative, often referred to as #WITMonth, was founded in 2014 by Meytal Radzinski to address the gender imbalance in translated literature. Women make up a small percentage of translated authors, and this month is about correcting that disparity by encouraging readers to explore works by women writers from around the world.

Throughout August, various literary platforms, publishers, and book lovers spotlight female authors and translators, promoting their works across genres and languages. For instance, publishers like Faber & Faber and various literary journals curate special reading lists featuring translated works by women. These lists often include a diverse range of genres, from crime fiction to literary essays, and span multiple languages, offering readers a rich tapestry of global perspectives.

Books such as Mariana Spada’s The Law of Conservation and Lee Geum-yi’s Can’t I Go Instead are among the highlighted titles this year, showcasing the unique narratives and cultural insights that women in translation bring to the literary world. The month also serves as a reminder of the crucial role translators play in making these voices accessible to a broader audience, and it encourages support for both authors and translators alike.

By engaging with these works, readers can expand their understanding of different cultures and experiences, all through the lens of female authorship. Women in Translation Month not only enriches the literary landscape but also fosters a more inclusive and representative global literary community​ (Faber)​ (Asian Review of Books)​ (ALBERTINE).

Wratislavia Translation House encourages you to spend your vacation reading books written and translated by women!