Austrian scientific and literary translators under the same roof

The Austrian Association of Literary and Scientific Translators (Übersetzergemeinschaft im Literaturhaus, AALST) represents the interests of scientific and literary translators in Austria. Its primary goal is to improve the legal, social and economic conditions for professionals. Another one of this translators association’s main concerns is to increase awareness and appreciation of the work of literary translators.

The Austrian organisation, integrated in the Vienna House of Literature (Literaturhaus Wien) offers information and gives advice on all job-related issues, with a special emphasis on copyright, from translation contracts to social and fiscal issues but also the development of each of its members’ careers.

Educational events are one of the highlights of this translation association’s activities. The most important event might be the annual Austrian translators seminar, but there are also many other opportunities throughout the year for translators to present their work and meet fellow professionals, in a wide range of activities conducted by AALST.

Everyone who has published a book or has translated a work of literature that has been accepted by a publishing house may be members of this translators association. Applicants who are yet to have their translations published may be accepted as candidate members.

The House of Literature

The major structure surrounding this translators association is, undoubtedly, the Vienna House of Literature. This building was the first of the sort to appear in the Austrian capital, having opened to the public in autumn 1991.

Its premises comprise three different sections: the Documentation Centre for Modern Austrian Literature, the Syndicate of Female Austrian Authors (founded in 1971 as a joint delegation of Austrian writers' associations and re-established in 1981 as an independent organisation which currently has about 3,500 members and 70 member associations), and the Translators Association.

The Documentation Centre for Modern Austrian Literature is composed of a library, the archives, an event centre and a meeting place. Both female authors and writers and the community of members of the translators association have the common goal of improving the legal, social and economic conditions of the professions they represent.

Since its foundation in 1965, the documentation centre collects materials that represent literature from the 20th and 21st Century. The documentation focuses on the period since 1945.

Keep in mind that Austria’s official language is German. Around the world there are around 98 million native German speakers.

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