# Jelena Bačić Alimpić dialect translation controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/jelena-bai-alimpi-dialect-translation-controversy
> Updated: 2026-09-13T08:31:05.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Writer and journalist Jelena Bačić Alimpić has drawn public attention following her refusal to translate her works from the ekavica dialect into the ijekavica dialect for a Croatian publishing house.

Alimpić stated that she rejected the offer to preserve her artistic integrity, arguing that her books should be published as originally written. She questioned the necessity of the translation, noting that Serbian readers frequently read authors like Vedrana Rudan who write in ijekavica. She characterized the request as a matter of respect for her original work rather than a simple linguistic adjustment.

Following the controversy, Alimpić traveled to Vukovar for a book promotion and signing event, which she described on social media as a successful gathering involving discussions about books and life.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-13: Jelena Bačić Alimpić refuses book translation to ijekavian

Author Jelena Bačić Alimpić refused to allow a Croatian publisher to translate her books into ijekavian, citing personal integrity, and subsequently held a successful book promotion in Vukovar.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jelena-bai-alimpi-refuses-book-translation-to-ijekavian

### 2026-08-31: Jelena Bačić Alimpić rejects Croatian publishing offer over dialect translation

Writer Jelena Bačić Alimpić refused a Croatian publishing deal because the publisher insisted on translating her ekavica-dialect text into ijekavica, citing a need to maintain her integrity.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jelena-bai-alimpi-rejects-croatian-publishing-offer-over-dialect-translation

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Cite as: Jelena Bačić Alimpić dialect translation controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/jelena-bai-alimpi-dialect-translation-controversy