LITERARY TRANSLATION AND TRANSLATION FOR PUBLISHING (ENGLISH)
- Academic year
- 2023/2024 Syllabus of previous years
- Official course title
- TRADUZIONE LETTERARIA E PER L'EDITORIA (INGLESE)
- Course code
- LM7435 (AF:441056 AR:249823)
- Modality
- On campus classes
- ECTS credits
- 6
- Degree level
- Master's Degree Programme (DM270)
- Educational sector code
- L-LIN/10
- Period
- 2nd Semester
- Course year
- 1
- Where
- TREVISO
- Moodle
- Go to Moodle page
Contribution of the course to the overall degree programme goals
Expected learning outcomes
Pre-requirements
Contents
The course focuses on the translation of novels and short stories, paying particular attention to texts representing important literary and cultural movements of that period. Students will have the opportunity to examine and analyse works by authors such as Joseph Conrad, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, T.S. Eliot, George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, David Malouf and many others (texts will be shared in class), discovering the linguistic and cultural nuances and peculiarities present in their writings.
During the course, students will be introduced to the basic principles of literary translation and the specific challenges this discipline entails. Different translation theories and approaches will be explored, with particular emphasis on functional translation and understanding the cultural context in which the work was written and received. Students will have the opportunity to analyse and compare different translations of the same literary text, examining the linguistic, stylistic and cultural choices made by the translators.
A key aspect of the course is the in-depth study of translation techniques specific to modern English literature. Students will learn to handle the challenges of rendering complex narrative styles, puns, cultural allusions and historical contexts. Different translation strategies such as transposition, adaptation and compensation will be presented and they will be encouraged to apply them through practical exercises.
During the course, workshops and discussions will be organised to allow students to discuss with each other and with the teacher about the translations they have produced. They will be encouraged to reflect critically on their own translation and to evaluate the choices made in relation to the original text and the context of reception. Through this practice of revision and discussion, students will develop a greater awareness of their own translation skills and learn to refine their own style and voice as translators.
In addition, the course will explore ethical and cultural issues related to literary translation, such as the accurate representation of other cultures, the question of authorship, and debates about fidelity to the original work. Students will be encouraged to consider the social and political role of literary translation and to examine the implications of such translation decisions.
By the end of the course, students will have acquired a thorough understanding of the principles and practices of literary translation in modern English literature. They will have developed critical skills in analysing and evaluating translations, as well as a greater awareness of the challenges and opportunities offered by literary translation. They will be able to apply appropriate translation techniques to deal with the complex cultural and linguistic meanings present in literary texts and will be able to translate sensitively, creatively and with respect for the voice and intent of the original author.
Referral texts
Cavagnoli F. (2017), La traduzione letteraria anglofona, Milano: Hoepli.
Eco U. (2003) Dire quasi la stessa cosa, Milano: Bompiani.
Munday J. (2016), Introducing Translation Studies, London and New York: Routledge.
Nergaard S. (2002), La teoria della traduzione nella storia, Milano: Bompiani.
Osimo B. (2007), Traduzione e qualità, Milano: Hoepli.