“Traduttore, traditore.” Translator, traitor. So goes an old Italian expression, merely one in a long line of aphorisms, proverbs, and warnings about the volatile power of translation, not least from kings and emperors. Throughout the ages, the powerful have always been cagey about the one who speaks two languages, because what does that say about their loyalties? Such sentiments may seem like an odd point of departure—perhaps, even, an ominous one—for the preface to this newest volume of City Tech Writer. Still, if you'll pardon the indulgence, I think we can glimpse the dim outlines of what makes this edition so special by subjecting the aphorism to its own translation . . . if you like, to its own betrayal.

"Tradutorre" comes from the Latin word traducere, which certainly can mean "dishonor" and "disgrace." Nothing you'd want your local monarch to catch you doing, in other words. But it can also mean "to show forth," or even "to guide over." Meanwhile, our sketchy friend "traditore" derives from the Latin tradere, which certainly evokes "handing over," but can also mean "surrendering," "imparting," "entrusting," or "handing down by tradition." Voila (look at that, listo, 瞧): to guide others is to entrust something to them.

In this volume, then, you'll find no shortage of students who, in hoping to guide readers across a chasm of uncertainty, entrust their ideas, hopes, fears, and imaginations to the written page. (Or screen, as the case may be.) You'll see poets entrusting their meditations on the fight for LGBTQIA justice, and scholars of fashion entrusting their examination of the relationship between the clothes we wear and the heating of our atmosphere. And, in a first for this volume, you'll find authors entrusting their work to the very act of translation itself, in two Spanish language essays that are presented in English as well.

Indeed, even the apparently monolingual entries bear the marks of translation, as they attempt to lead the reader through worlds that might seem unfamiliar. Playwrights translate historical events for the stage, in scripts that have themselves been translated into images with the help of AI generated art. Likewise, videos throughout are designed to help readers further translate what they've read into terms and images native to their own private languages. And hopefully, these chains of translation—guiding, entrusting, imparting—will continue to deliver us into a better future.

I'd like to thank the faculty throughout the College who submitted outstanding writing from their courses; Professor Peter Fikaris, whose communication design students created an array of inventive cover art; and Frank Lema, whoseinkwell of inspiration graces this volume’s cover. I'd also like say merci beaucoup to Mary Ann Biehl and Lu Xue, along with students of the Faculty Commons Design Team, who designed posters for City Tech Writer’s call for submissions. An extremely special dziękuję is due to professor Atilio Barreda, in the Computer Systems department, for continuing to sustain this publication's virtual incarnation. (You can find previous iterations of CTW 2.0 at our Openlab site; they are being housed there temporarily while the site undergoes renovation.)

A surfeit of gracias is due to President Russell Hotzler, Provost Pamela Brown, Dean Justin Vazquez-Poritz, and Shelley Smith in Faculty Commons, all of whom provided affirmation and precious resources. A liberal شكرًا لك also to English Department office assistant Lily Lam for holding our precinct of the college together, thereby enabling ventures like this to operate without descending into chaos. And a hearty Daalụ to Department Chair Suzanne Miller, not only in her current capacity as chair, but also in her prior capacity as one of the former editors of this journal.

On that note, a heartfelt arigato to former editors Mark Noonan, Suzanne Miller, Megan Behrent, and George Guida for guiding and imparting the insights found in past volumes. As always, miigwech to original editor and founder Professor Jane Mushabac, who created the journal in 2006 as a way to platform the most exceptional of our student writers.

And last, but not least: gratias tibi to you, dear reader, for receiving this humble impartation. Translate as you wish, and never mind the king.