Association des traducteurs littéraires de France

The Association des traducteurs littéraires de France (ATLF) is a French professional association founded in 1973 by a group of literary translators who split from the Société française des traducteurs (SFT). Its mission is to promote translated foreign literature, defend the interests of literary translators, and represent the profession before publishers and public authorities. The association is based in Paris and has been housed at the Hôtel de Massa since 2013, working closely with the SGDL and other authors' societies. The ATLF engages in advocacy, professional training, and public outreach. It publishes the biennial Répertoire des traducteurs membres de l'ATLF, a directory of member translators for publishing, press, theatre, and audiovisual work, and the semiannual journal TransLittérature, created in 1991. The association also organizes translation events at literary festivals and participates in the Assises de la traduction in Arles. It has been instrumental in creating the Conseil européen des associations de traducteurs littéraires (CEATL) in 1986 and in establishing a code of ethics in 1988. Over the decades, the ATLF has conducted major surveys on the socio-economic conditions of literary translators, including a 1983 study by sociologist Nathalie Heinich and a 2025 online survey. It has negotiated key agreements, such as the December 2022 interprofessional accord on contractual freedoms for translators. The association receives a subsidy from the Centre national du livre (CNL) and continues to advocate for fair remuneration and working conditions.

The Association des traducteurs littéraires de France (ATLF) was founded in 1973 when a group of literary translators, including Miguel-Angel Asturias, Marcel Bataillon, Maurice-Edgar Coindreau, Étiemble, Max-Pol Fouchet, and Pierre Leyris, split from the Société française des traducteurs (SFT). The association was created to promote translated foreign literature, defend the interests of literary translators, and represent the profession before publishers and public authorities. In 1983, the ATLF commissioned sociologist Nathalie Heinich to conduct a major socio-professional survey, the first to paint a comprehensive picture of the profession. That same year, the association oversaw the creation of ATLAS (Assises de la traduction littéraire en Arles). In 1985, the French Ministry of Culture established a Grand prix national de la traduction, with half of the jury composed of translators proposed by the ATLF; the prize was later abolished in 1998. In 1986, the ATLF initiated the creation of the Conseil européen des associations de traducteurs littéraires (CEATL). In 1988, it adopted a Code of Ethics defining the professional standards of the field. In 2013, the ATLF moved to the Hôtel de Massa, strengthening its collaboration with the SGDL and other authors' societies. That year also saw the publication of the Guide de la traduction littéraire, produced in partnership with the SNE under the auspices of the CNL. The association has continued its advocacy work, conducting surveys (e.g., 2025) and negotiating agreements such as the December 2022 interprofessional accord on contractual freedoms for translators. It remains active in promoting literary translation through events, publications, and public outreach.

• 2025

  Conducted an online survey on the working conditions of literary translators.

• 2024

  Updated model contract for publishing translation rights with AI clauses.

• 2022

  Interprofessional agreement signed on 20 December, improving contractual freedoms for translators.

• 2020

  Created the ATLF YouTube channel.

• 2013

  Moved to the Hôtel de Massa; publication of the Guide de la traduction littéraire.

• 1998

  Grand prix national de la traduction abolished by the Minister of Culture.

• 1991

  TransLittérature journal created.

• 1988

  Adopted a Code of Ethics for the profession.

• 1986

  Initiated the creation of the Conseil européen des associations de traducteurs littéraires (CEATL).

• 1985

  First Grand prix national de la traduction awarded by the Ministry of Culture, with half the jury proposed by ATLF.

• 1983

  Commissioned a major socio-professional survey by sociologist Nathalie Heinich; creation of ATLAS (Assises de la traduction littéraire en Arles).

• 1973

  ATLF founded by a group of literary translators splitting from the SFT.

Professional association defending the rights and interests of literary translators in France.

• Répertoire des traducteurs membres de l'ATLF

  Biennial directory of member translators for publishing, press, theatre, and audiovisual.

• TransLittérature

  Semiannual journal created in 1991, featuring interviews, articles, and reviews.

• Code de déontologie

  Code of ethics adopted in 1988 defining professional standards.

• Contract templates

  Model contracts for translation rights, updated with AI clauses in 2024.

• Harlequin and AI
• CNL rate increase

1. 1ATLF official websiteatlf.org
2. 2L’HISTOIRE DE L’ATLFatlf.org
3. 3Wikidata entry for ATLFwikidata.org
4. 4Association des traducteurs littéraires de France - Wikipediafr.wikipedia.org