Bethlehem Attfield

Bethlehem Attfield is a prominent British-Ethiopian literary translator and academic researcher known for her work in bringing Amharic literature to a global English-speaking audience. She holds a PhD in Modern Languages from the University of Birmingham, where her research focused on the translation of African-language literature and the “minor translation theory”. 

• The Lost Spell: Her debut translation of the Amharic novel by Yismake Worku (published in 2022) was shortlisted for the Society of Authors’ TA First Translation Prize.
• Couch Grass: A collection of short stories by the celebrated Ethiopian author Adam Reta, translated by Attfield and published by Fidessa Literary Publishing.
• Requiem for Potatoes: An audio musical story adapted from Adam Reta’s Amharic short story የድንች መዋስዕት, which she both translated and produced.
• Global Africa Translation Fellowship: In 2023, she received this prestigious award to support her project of translating Adam Reta’s works and building a more inclusive African literary canon.

• Global Souths Hub: She serves as a Community Engagement Coordinator and Contributing Writer, often hosting podcasts and writing about decolonizing access to literature.
• Asymptote Journal: She is an Editor-at-Large for this international translation journal.
• Digital Presence: She hosts the YouTube podcast Journey to Ethiopia with Story to promote Ethiopian literature and indigenous language translation.
• Humanitarian Background: Before her academic career, she worked in the humanitarian sector and on human rights advocacy with organizations like the UN.