About
About NULTA
An award for undergraduate literary translators; it is free to enter, judged anonymously, and has a top prize of $500 in each of its two awards.
Why NULTA exists
Through translation, writers and readers are brought together across distant cultures, combining the perspectives of leading thinkers from all across the globe. Our mission is to encourage young people to interact with other cultures, especially at a time in which reading rates are declining and fewer students are studying languages.
We aim to bring recognition to students who have taken on the work of understanding other cultures by learning their languages and studying the texts that have shaped their perspectives.
By creating an equitable opportunity for students to display their strong analysis and interpretation skills, we hope to encourage cross-cultural understanding and demonstrate the importance of thoughtful, human deliberation.
Why undergraduates
Undergraduates do write translations — for a class, a personal project, or language practice — but this kind of artistic work is rarely recognized outside professional circles. We want to encourage students to think deeply about a text in an original and creative way, with a free, anonymous space to present their work.
Who runs it
NULTA was created by a team of Brown University undergraduates. It is currently an independent award, not affiliated with any college or university.
The honors
NULTA has two awards, Prose and Poetry, each recognizing its own winner, finalist, and three translations of particular merit. This year, the award will give out a total of $1,800.
NULTA Prose Award
$500
NULTA Prose Award Winner
$250
Distinguished Finalist
$50×3
Special Recognition
NULTA Poetry Award
$500
NULTA Poetry Award Winner
$250
Distinguished Finalist
$50×3
Special Recognition
NULTA does not take any publication rights to any translation submitted. We would love to help winners find publication once the competition is over. What happens to a winning translation afterward is set out in the Rights and Permissions policy.
Getting involved
If you are an undergraduate, check the eligibility and rules and then read the submission guidelines.
If you are a faculty member or a translator, we are recruiting readers. The commitment would only be 60-90 minutes, and your help is greatly appreciated. Please see For Faculty and Translators for further information.