An alterNative history: Indigenous letters to Brazil – Translation into English

This work undertakes an L2-to-L2 translation, from Portuguese into English, of thirty-six letters written by Indigenous peoples in Brazil between 1970 and 2022. Indeed, these contemporary letters generally emerged as a response to the correspondence written during the period of Brazilian colonization, most notably the Carta de Achamento (“Letter of Discovery”, May 1, 1500) by Pero Vaz de Caminha—scribe of Pedro Álvares Cabral's fleet—and addressed to King Manuel I of Portugal. The translation is underpinned by a comprehensive historical, political, and cultural contextualization that enables a deeper understanding of the source material. This research seeks to illustrate both the historical trajectory and the contemporary realities of Indigenous peoples in Brazil through the translation of selected letters, collected from the website Cartas Indígenas ao Brasil (cartasindigenasaobrasil.com.br). These letters, penned by members of various Indigenous populations and addressed to governmental bodies, institutions, associations, or the general public, offer a unique window into the lived experiences, struggles, and demands of Brazil’s native peoples. The letters are translated into English to make Indigenous voices accessible to a broader international audience and to highlight the persistent efforts of Indigenous communities to assert their rights and defend their territories, cultures, and way of life. In this context, translation emerges as a political tool to create a new space of discourse for historically silenced voices. The initial sections situate the letters within the broader historical and contemporary context of Brazil, examined through a decolonial perspective, and discuss the role of translation, describing the approaches and methods adopted. Much of the contextualization is informed by field research conducted in Brazil, including direct engagement with Indigenous communities, scholars, and activists. The second part of the work presents the letters in Portuguese alongside their English translations. Ultimately, the thesis highlights the potential of ethical translation to support marginalized voices and promote cross-cultural understanding.