GERMANY

Information gathered by: Barbora Schnelle

Editors’ note: The list and information provided may be updated with new findings and opportunities.

1. Where can I find information about contemporary plays in your country?
   
   Theateruebersetzen.de is an information and knowledge platform for translators and theatre professionals. The aim is to make the diverse aspects of theatre translation more visible in the public discourse, to network those involved and to strengthen the associated practice. Four main topics – TEXT, TRANSFER, TRANSLATION and FREEDOM FROM BARRIERS – are the basis of the research and interactions on offer, which provide information on topics such as contemporary drama, dramatic translation, theatre practice and transfer (https://theateruebersetzen.de/).

   The Goethe-Institut also provides information about contemporary German writing. The Theatre Library collects information about German contemporary drama.

   The promotion of authors and plays of the new German drama is an essential part of the cultural work of the Goethe-Instituts worldwide. In this task, the role of theatre translations is of particular importance: by translating the texts into other languages, they can be adapted, performed and made directly communicable in the various cultural contexts (https://www.goethe.de/de/kul/tut/tbk/udt.html).

2. Where can theatre translators apply for funding and develop their skills?

   Deutscher Übersetzerfonds (The German Translators‘ Fund) fulfils its purpose by awarding scholarships to translators. The Academy of the Art of Translation develops new types of exchange experiences, imparting knowledge and promoting young talent through seminars, thematic workshops and international projects.

   The wide-ranging funding programme TOLEDO – Translators in Cultural Exchange, the result of many years of cooperation with the Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, supports literary translators in actively exercising their role as mediators between cultures and language areas.

   Babelwerk has created a platform for professional translators and interested visitors that approaches the topic of translation from both a practical-artistic and academic perspective. This includes Babelkat, a practical, user-generated bibliography of translator knowledge (https://www.uebersetzerfonds.de/).

3. Which organisations bring together theatre translators?

   Drama Panorama: Forum für Übersetzung und Theater e. V. is a forum linking the work of theatre translators and playwrights with theatre practitioners and theatres. It organises workshops, readings and panel discussions on topics related to international theatre Exchange (https://www.drama-panorama.com/en/organisation/).

   Where can I find practical answers to questions about fees, contracts, social security, status of an artist, consultation services etc. for theatre translators?

   VdÜ – Verband deutschsprachiger Übersetzer/innen literarischer und wissenschaftlicher Werke e.V.
   (https://literaturuebersetzer.de/unser-verband/wer-wir-sind/).

   In Germany, literary translation is legalised as an artistic activity and translators can benefit from favourable health and social insurance rates with the Künstlersozialkasse (Artists‘ Social Security Fund), which essentially models the employment relationship, paying the relevant amounts of health and social security for its members in a manner akin to an employer. On the other hand, all those who work with freelance artists have to pay a percentage (currently 5 %) of their gross fees to the Künstlersozialkasse (https://www.kuenstlersozialkasse.de/).

   ITI Germany  organises the International Workshop in Mülheim for theatre translators from all over the world translating from the German language (https://www.iti-germany.de/en/meeting-exchange/translating-theatre).