Call for book chapters proposals: "Languages off-the-centre in translation"

We wish to extend an invitation to submit abstracts for contributions to Languages off-the-centre in translation to be considered for publication with Vernon Press. With this publication we wish to examine communication flows via translation involving off-centre languages. The idea originated from the title of a panel at the International Conference in Children’s Literature and Translation Studies (CLTS), held in Stockholm in 2024, although we welcome any types of translation and hope for a broad representation of translation types. Our intention is to include both studies which address the theme above all from a theoretical perspective as well as contributions which are of more empirical or technical nature.

The term “off-centre” holds several theoretical benefits. Firstly, alternative terms referring to non-hegemonic languages such as marginalised, minority or minoritised highlight disadvantage, and the use of these etiquettes risk cementing languages in positions of inferiority. “Off-centre”, by contrast, offers a less fundamentally negative meaning potential. It is also potentially more suggestive of movement and relationality since degrees of proximity to and changes in distance from the centre may be imagined. A fluid relationality enables the unequal power dynamics which condition the positioning of languages in society in terms of a centre-periphery dichotomy to be conceived as contestable. Although the term is less effective than the terms marginalised or minoritised in acknowledging human agency and nefarious structures of power behind the positioning of languages, we do wish to invite contributions which focus on aspects of agency in both “off-centring” and “centring” languages through translation practices. A final benefit of the term off-centre is its applicability to geographic contexts where indigenous languages which enjoy vitality and prevalence as spoken languages are excluded in prestigious and formal social domains because of the hegemony of ex-colonial languages. Since such languages dominate in certain spheres of life, terms such as minority or minoritised are rendered less relevant.

We hope to receive contributions representing a wide geographical scope and welcome contributions which engage with translation flows, trends and movements involving off-centre languages at any scale or level of relevance (global, transnational, regional or local). Research questions may relate to the way translation practices determine, condition or challenge the position of languages amid social, ideological and political power constellations.

The collection invites individual and co-authored chapters of 5,000 to 8,000 words. All submissions must be original, unpublished work not under consideration elsewhere. Accepted chapters will undergo peer review.

Please submit your 500-word proposal and a short author bio to Elisabeth Bladh at elisabeth.bladh@su.se and Maricel Botha at maricel.botha@nwa.ac.za.

Inquiries and Abstracts:

• Questions and preliminary discussions are welcome at any time
• Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026
• Acceptance Date: February 15, 2026
• Chapter submissions: October 30, 2026