Anne Carson is honored for her ability to masterfully blend a background in classical Greek scholarship with the distinct sensibilities of modern thought, creating "new forms for contemporary literature" that blur the boundaries between literary criticism, philosophical essays, and pure poetry.
"Almost all her literary production has centered upon the intersection between the philologist's obsession with words and the poet's desire for new meaning," the Swedish Academy said.
"She has herself identified the etymology of words as the starting point for all her work. Her translations from Classical Greek may be regarded as independent works in their own right."
Carson, 76, who born in Toronto and has a home in Iceland, is widely known for her translations of classical Greek literature, which heavily influences her work that ranges from opera libretti to literary criticism and verse novels such as "Autobiography of Red" from 1998.
With this year's award, she will receive a prize of 12 million Swedish kronor (1.2 million USD) and a commemorative medal at the official award ceremony this coming December.
