“A rich compilation of stories translated from the traditional literature of a variety of diverse cultures found throughout North America. . . . Educational and enlightening.”—Library Journal
“[Voices from Four Directions] may thus serve a valuable educational function by introducing the artistry of Native American linguistic traditions to a broader audience that can be moved to abandon often covert ideologies of contempt for ‘small,’ ‘tribal’ languages because of their presumed inferiority and mobilized to lend support to language revitalization efforts on behalf of these and other threatened languages.”—American Indian Culture & Research Journal
“An excellent introduction to the current state of the translation of Native oral literature and the ethical considerations surrounding translation. The narratives are illuminating and the collection solidly advances understanding of a complex and energetic field.”—Choice
“Swann emphasizes the importance of reproducing the original texts’ poetry and beauty and of crating a dialogic interplay between the texts’ voices.”—American Literature
“It is refreshing to find a volume that is devoted to the art of translation, one that carefully and respectfully presents translated texts that are semantically and stylistically accessible to a western audience. . . . Voices from Four Directions is a valuable contribution to the field and enriches our knowledge of the literary merit of Native American verbal arts. ”—Maria Glowacka, Montana, The Magazine of Western History
“This volume is a comprehensive collection that belongs in every tribal college library and would be an excellent text for Native Literature classes.”—Holly Ristau, Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education
“With Voices from Four Directions Swann has added a fine collection to his already impressive list of edited works. . . . . His editorial selections have created an interesting and thought-provoking text for both the scholar and the nonspecialist.”—Caskey Russell, Ethnohistory
