The University of Georgia Press has launched African Language Literatures in Translation, a new series of English translations of classic and contemporary works originally written in indigenous African languages. Christopher Ernest Ouma, associate professor of English at Duke University, and Alexander Fyfe, assistant professor of comparative literature and African studies at the University of Georgia, will coedit the series.
The inaugural list includes five titles scheduled for publication beginning in Spring 2026: The Mad by Ignatius T. Mabasa, translated from the Shona; Left Behind by Ntšeliseng 'Masechele Khaketla, translated from the Sesotho; and three titles translated from the Kiswahili: The Swallowers of Bones by Ali Hilal Ali, They Are Us by Katama Mkangi, and New Virus by Halfani Sudy.
“We want to create a sustainable venue for translations of African-language writing that makes texts available to Anglophone readerships while contributing positively and responsibly to the publishing and translation ecosystems that already support African writing,” said Fyfe, in a statement. Ouma added: “The time is right for an initiative that publishes and promotes essential works of world literature written in African languages.
