“It was on my mind all day”

Abstract

Abstract This paper explores authentically situated translation processes of literary translators, based on an empirical study of five professional German literary translators translating a short story by Ernest Hemingway. It focuses on macro-level workplace dynamics: How do translators working from home organize their task? With whom do they interact? Situational factors will emerge as constitutive elements of translatorial cognition and action, and it will be shown how the fragmentation of the translation process and the blurring of boundaries between the professional and personal spheres of life significantly impact the emergence of the translator’s voice and the translation product.