The Linguist

Chartered Institute of Linguists SPRING 2026 The Linguist 21 FEATURES authors, awarded 44 prizes, and engaged over 4,500 young people. It does this through free creative translation workshops, the award ceremonies and the competition itself. This outreach is further enhanced by strong intergenerational participation, with friends and family often joining in subsequent editions. Additionally, there is an active social media community with over 5,000 followers. Inclusion through language In 2018, after years of rejection from publishers who 'did not publish translations', I founded Editora Trinta Zero Nove – Mozambique's first publishing house dedicated to translated literature. The name pays homage to 30 September, and represents the ethos of persistence and community. Inclusion is at the heart of our model. We publish works in Portuguese and local languages such as ciChangana, ciChope and ciShona, ensuring access for readers who rarely see their mother tongue in print. Translating into Bantu languages, however, presents structural challenges: despite ongoing efforts to standardise spelling, translators and linguists often disagree on equivalences, reference materials are scarce, and the pool of accredited translators, editors and scholars working in these languages remains very small. This limited human infrastructure affects both publishing and the Literary Translation Award, but it is particularly acute for the competition, where only a handful of jurors are qualified to assess translations into eMakhuwa, ciSena and ciChangana – the most widely spoken local languages in Mozambique. Yet these linguistic challenges are also a source of the project's strength. They compel us to engage deeply with our own linguistic heritage, debating meaning, nuance and rhythm, and viewing translation not merely as a transfer between languages but as an act of cultural reclamation. Challenges and lessons learnt Over the years, the award has evolved beyond my kitchen counter. Many participants – particularly young women – have since become professional translators or collaborators at Trinta Zero Nove. Our sign language interpreters, who began as volunteers, have gained confidence and visibility. Stella Mavie, who won second prize in 2023 for translating The Drag Queen of Elfland by Lawrence Schimel, commended the organisation for "not putting up barriers and allowing both professionals and 'laypeople' to have the same space and opportunity". Running the initiative for 11 consecutive years has not been easy. It remains largely dependent on community support and the dedication of volunteers. However, the award's growth and impact affirm the CREATING OPPORTUNITY Sandra Tamele speaks at a creative translation workshop for International Translation Day (main image); and (inset) Mozambican Sign Language interpreter Sandra Guite at a recent event importance of our mission. Each year, we continue to build a vibrant community of translators, promote cultural exchange, and recognise the essential role of translation in fostering understanding and connection among diverse cultures. The spirit that began with that sleepless night continues to evolve. Beyond the competition and publishing, I am establishing a small library and bookshop in Marracuene, a town that lacks a public library. This endeavour is a natural extension of my mission to make books – and the act of translation – accessible to everyone. One important lesson is that translation goes beyond mere words on a page. It involves creating spaces for empathy, inclusion and connection. What started as a simple idea has grown into a movement – a literary bridge spanning continents, built word by word and story by story. For details about the award or how to enter, email concursoitd@smtraducoes-moz.com.

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