Translating is not just about transferring words from one language to another.
It means building cultural bridges, making an imagination accessible, allowing a story to cross borders.
This is exactly the direction of the call for applications “Residencies for Translators from Italian”, promoted by Venice International University in collaboration with the Centro per il Libro e la Lettura.
The initiative offers 8 positions for a 4-week residency, taking place from July 26 to August 23, 2026, at the international campus on the island of San Servolo, in Venice.
A unique environment where translation, research, and intercultural dialogue come together.
A concrete opportunity for translators
The residency is open to native-speaking translators of:
German
English
Spanish
French
Chinese
Japanese
Arabic
working on Italian literary or non-fiction works.
During the program, participants will have access to workspaces, a library, and opportunities for professional exchange with other experts in the field.
Not just time to translate.
But a setting designed to foster skills, connections, and vision.
To apply, candidates must:
be native speakers of one of the listed languages
hold a publishing contract for the translation of an Italian work
or submit a translation project proposal
Applications must be submitted by:
📅 April 30, 2026 – 12:00 PM
Full details and the complete call are available here:
👉 https://univiu.org/research/translators
In the translation industry, we often focus on technique, tools, and speed. Much less on what comes before: cultural responsibility.
Initiatives like this remind us of a key point: translating also means deciding how a country is represented abroad.
This is where linguistic quality stops being a mere operational detail and becomes a strategic asset.
At Finking, we work every day with companies and institutions communicating across borders.
We know that behind every effective translation there is not only linguistic expertise, but also cultural awareness, method, and vision.
Initiatives like this move exactly in that direction: training professionals who can manage complexity, not just words.
