Guest Speaker Dr. José Carlos de la Puente Luna

Translators and interpreters played a vital role in the colonial system, acting as cultural mediators and agents of power. Through their work, they helped build relationships between native Americans and Europeans in colonial America and thus, needed to be knowledgeable about both cultures to accurately convey meaning. Taking all these facts into account, Dr. De la Puente will discuss literary, religious and administrative documents and engage in a dialogue with other disciplines that can provide a more nuanced view of the role of translation, and of the mediators, during the controversial encounter/clash between Europeans and Amerindians. He will also bring to the table how historians rely on translation and interpretation for their work. Finally, De la Puente will share with the audience the challenges and achievements of a Spanish-speaking academic navigating a mostly English-speaking field.

This event will be held via Zoom. Registration is available HERE.