The Dictionary of Translators: a research tool for the history of translation in the Humanities and Social Sciences? (The case of Slovakia)

Abstract

This article introduces a recently published work, Slovník prekladateliek a prekladateľov: vedy o človeku a kultúre (The Dictionary of Slovak Translators in the Humanities and Social Sciences, 2024), which offers an overview of the most important works in philosophy, sociology, literature, and art-science. Through the profiles of nearly one hundred translators and their selected bibliographies, the dictionary traces the most significant translations published in Slovakia from the interwar period to the present day. The article has two main objectives: first, to clarify the genesis of the publication and address the preliminary questions that shaped the research; and second, to explore the various stages of the Slovak reception of translated works. Finally, we examine the specific characteristics of this reception, situating it within the broader context of Slovak research in the field. We argue that the Dictionary, by processing this extensive material, has the potential to become a key resource for studying the circulation and transfer of scientific knowledge within the Slovak culture.