Abstract
The general perception of translation is that a translator has done a good job unless we can tell that the book we are reading has been translated from a foreign language. According to some, the translator is even supposed to blend in with the author and put himself in his shoes.
Readers are not supposed to recognize it in the text. But how to deal with the idea of the invisible translator in the history of translation? In addition to the thousands of decisions "hidden" within the text, translators are often behind the selection of a work for translation.
Choosing a work that will represent foreign literature in domestic literature. Thus, a single person can become the key actor in creating an image of literature from a particular language area.
In the history of Czech translation from Portuguese literature, this role belongs to Pavla Lidmilova (1932-2019), the author of 58 book translations from Brazilian, Portuguese and African Lusophone literature. The aim of this conference paper is to present the work and personality of a translator who deserves to be seen.