Traduttori e mercanti. La scoperta inglese del Nuovo Mondo

The doctoral thesis explores the cultural and political implications of the increased interest in Spanish America and the New World arising in Early Modern England as a result of translation practices and, particularly, early attempts to translate from Spanish, Latin, and Italian sources. The research works on investigating the role of Spain as a source of knowledge to assess its significance for the development of a concept of empire and the maturing of a desire for emulation, later transformed in anti-Spanish propaganda. It also concerns the relationships between translators and their patrons, printers, and audiences and the processes of text acquisition and adaptation. Ultimately, the study joins the scholarly discussion on foreign travel experiences and representations with respect to extra-European cultures. Overall, the research explores how translations about the New World gradually impacted English colonisation projects and overseas explorations.