Corine Tachtiris, associate professor of comparative literature in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, is beginning her term as President of the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA), the largest professional organization for literary translators in the U.S.

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As the only organization in the U.S. devoted exclusively to literary translators, ALTA’s mission is to support their work, advance the art of literary translation, and connect students, teachers, publishers and readers of literature in translation. ALTA also administers awards to recognize excellence in translation and provides fellowships and mentorships to support emerging translators.

Tachtiris, who will serve as board president until autumn 2028, previously served as vice president of ALTA from 2023-26 and at-large board member from 2020-23. During that time, she has filled many roles at ALTA, serving as chair of the association’s membership committee, awards committee, and sexism and sexual harassment task force, as well as a member of the conference committee and equity advocates. She also chaired the search for a new executive director of ALTA last year.

“I look forward to working with staff, the board, and ALTA’s committees, members, and partners to ensure that our organization doesn’t just survive, but thrives amongst a volatile funding landscape and the increasing threat of AI to our profession,” Tachtiris says.

As a literary translator, Tachtiris translates primarily the work of contemporary women authors from Francophone Africa, Canada and the Caribbean, as well as from the Czech Republic. She also serves as prose translation editor at The Massachusetts Review.