The Comparative Literature Program’s student-run journal, mOthertongue, is an annual multilingual and multicultural literary and arts journal, published by Comparative Literature undergraduate students for the past 30 years.
The journal publishes artwork and texts written in non-English languages which are then translated into English. The journal considers submissions from undergraduate and graduate student communities at UMass and the Five Colleges. The Comparative Literature Program sponsors a spring event celebrating the release of the issue that includes public readings, musical performances, and/or short films.
31st Issue of mOthertongue - EXTENDED Submission Deadline: March 27, 2026
No Fee for Submission! Send submission(s) to @email by March 23rd, 2026 for fullest consideration.
- Open to ALL undergrad/grad students from the Five College Program
- Submissions may be on any topic
- Be sure to credit all contributors
- Please submit work that is ORIGINAL (do not take someone else’s work, translate it, and submit it to this journal)
Written Works
Submissions must contain one version in English, and one in any other language. These could be translations of the original work into English or vice versa.
They may include:
- Poetry, prose, criticism (unpublished)
- Collaborations (writer + translator; both must be students)
Visual Art
- Photography, drawing, painting, digital art, 3D art
- Priority given to pieces exploring multilingualism and multiculturality
Submission Instructions
List the following information along with your work in the email:
- Your Name (First, Last)
- Your Institution (UMass Amherst, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Hampshire College, Amherst College)
- Year of Graduation (if you are a graduate student, list as “Graduate”)
- Title of piece(s)
- Your language(s) other than English
Contact @email for more information or questions.
Presented by the UMass Amherst Comparative Literature Program with the support of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; the Edwin C. Gentzler Translation Center; and the UMass Amherst Arts Council.