Norwegian challenge for Harvill Secker Young Translators’ Prize

Norwegian has been chosen as the language of the Harvill Secker Young Translators’ Prize 2016.

The prize, launched in 2010, is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 34 and aims to recognise the achievements of young translators at the start of their careers. It is awarded annually, focusing each year on a different language; last year's chosen language was Polish. 

This year, entrants will be asked to translate a short story by Merethe Lindstrøm called 'Svømme under vann' (which translates as ‘Swimming Under Water’) from her collection of the same name.

It will be judged by translator Don Bartlett, who translated Karl Ove Knausgaard’s My Struggle series into English, and Harvill Secker editor Ellie Steel, with two more judges to be announced at a later date.

Harvill Secker formed a new partnership with the Royal Norwegian Embassy this year and will be continuing its partnership with Writers’ Centre Norwich. The winner will take part in a Writers’ Centre Norwich Emerging Translator Mentorship with Bartlett, who is an acclaimed translator on the judges panel, and will also be invited to participate in the Crossing Border festival in November 2016.

The deadline for entries is 5th August 2016, and the winner will be announced on 30th September.

The short story and entry guidelines can be found online.