Charles Hatfield

Charles Hatfield is an Associate Professor of Literature and Program Head of Literature at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), affiliated with the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology. He holds a Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures from Johns Hopkins University (2007) and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Toronto (2000). His research focuses on Latin American literature, translation studies, postcolonial theory, and cultural politics, with notable contributions to debates on language, empire, and cultural identity in Latin America. He co-authored a chapter on translation and empire and edited works exploring the role of translation in shaping Latin American cultural history.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D., Romance Languages and Literatures, Johns Hopkins University, 2007
• B.A. Hons., Spanish, University of Toronto, 2000

Research Interests: Hatfield’s work interrogates the intersections of language, power, and culture. He examines how translation mediates colonial and postcolonial identities, particularly in Spanish-language contexts. His scholarship often critiques the ‘coloniality of power’ and explores how cultural production negotiates between local and global influences. Recent projects include analyses of historical and contemporary translation practices, the politics of linguistic sovereignty, and the role of literature in articulating Latin American self-definition.

Publications Overview: His works span book-length studies, peer-reviewed articles, and co-authored essays in prestigious journals like Journal of Commonwealth and Postcolonial Studies. His 2015 book The Limits of Identity analyzes how political and poetic discourses in Latin America navigate tensions between identity and power. Collaborations with scholars like Ilan Stavans highlight his engagement with translation as a site of cultural negotiation.

Labs/Teams: As Associate Director of UTD’s Center for Translation Studies, he leads initiatives fostering interdisciplinary research into translation’s sociocultural dimensions. His work often bridges academic and public spheres, including contributions to the Kenyon Review’s explorations of translation’s role in shaping Latin American cultural identity.