History of translation in Latin America

This one and a half hour lecture will offer an overview of the history of translation in Latin America with references to the United States and Canada. After an introduction, we will examine the relevance of engaging in the history of translation, as well as the functions of translation. We will follow with a periodization and a  chronological review of the different periods: the pre-Columbian era, encounter and conquest (1492-1533), colonialization (sixteenth, seventeenth and part of eighteenth centuries), pre-independence and emancipation (1750-1850), the republic (1850 – until today). References to the First School of translators and interpreters, the Laws of the Kings of India, interpreters, and the First Dictionary of the Language by Sebastián de Cobarruvias 1611.

For the colonial period, the First English-Spanish translation printed in America will be mentionned to refer then to evangelization and conceptual obstacles. Mention will also be made of a salary increase for Don Vicente Salias, translator of foreign languages.

For the period of pre-independence and emancipation (1750-1850) four great translators will be identified: Francisco de Miranda, José Martí and his “Marti” Theory and Andrés Bello with his “Bellista” Theory. Finally, Antonio Nariño and Alvarez. In this same period, some founding texts became very important: Paine – Viscardo – Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. It will also refer to gray literature, in particular the song La Carmañola and the independence press. Finally, it will list key translators in the different countries with emphasis on Jorge Luis Borges and his “Borgesian” Theory.