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 more than 30 years. All issues are archived on ScholarWorks, and recent issues can be accessed through the links below.
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.
Recent issues (see ScholarWorks for complete series)
Submissions for mOthertongue 2026 (no. 31) are now closed.
Submissions for the 2027 issue will open in winter 2027. Guidelines are below.
- 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They may include: poetry, prose, criticism (unpublished); collaborations (writer + translator; both must be students); and visual art: photography, drawing, painting, digital art, 3D art.
Priority given to pieces exploring multilingualism and multiculturality.
Contact @email for more information or questions.