This course examines literary translation as an object of critical reading, evaluation and interpretation. Through comparative analysis of original works, translations, retranslations and critical texts, students explore questions of style, fidelity, creative deviation and the translator’s voice. The course considers the distinctive challenges of translating poetry, drama and prose fiction, the historicity of translations, the formation of literary canons and the public reception of translated works. Combining theoretical approaches with case studies from Greek and international literary traditions, it develops students’ ability to critically assess literary translations and formulate well-supported arguments about their literary and cultural significance.

The course aims to familiarise students with methods of critical reading, interpretation and evaluation of literary translations, and to develop an understanding of their place in literary and cultural history.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
• identify major theoretical and critical approaches to literary translation;
• analyse and evaluate translations of poetry, drama and prose fiction;
• identify and discuss translation strategies and stylistic choices;
• compare different translations of the same literary work;
• understand the role of retranslation in literary history;
• recognise translators’ contributions to the formation of literary canons and cultural values;
• produce well-supported critical writing on literary translations;
• assess the position of literary translation in contemporary publishing and cultural contexts.

Week 1: What Is Literary Translation Criticism?. Scope and objectives. Translation, criticism and literary history.

Week 2: Translator, Critic and Reader. Translator visibility and invisibility. The role of criticism.

Week 3: Criteria for Evaluating Literary Translations. Style, readability, functionality, fidelity and creativity.

Week 4: Poetry and Translation. Metre, rhythm and imagery. Case studies from the Greek translation tradition.

Week 5: Drama and Translation. Theatricality. Translations intended for reading and for stage performance.

Week 6: Prose Fiction and Translation. Narrative voice, style and cultural contexts.

Week 7: The Translator’s Voice and Literary Style. The translator as co-creator. The concept of the translator’s individual style.

Week 8: Translating the Literary Canon. Dante, Shakespeare, Byron, Baudelaire, T. S. Eliot and other representative cases.

Week 9: Retranslation and Literary Time. Why do we retranslate? The historicity of translations. Greek and international case studies.

Week 10: Translation Reviews in the Greek and International Press. Examples and critical commentary. Translation criticism and public discourse.

Week 11: Translation Awards and the Literary Canon. Institutions and evaluation. The position of translation within the literary field.

Week 12: Translation, Publishing and New Technologies. Publishing practices, digital environments, artificial intelligence and literary translation.

Week 13: Review and Synthesis. Literary translation as a form of critical and creative writing.

Core Bibliography
• Bassnett, Susan, Translation Studies.
• France, Peter (ed.), The Oxford Guide to Literature in English Translation.
• Venuti, Lawrence (ed.), The Translation Studies Reader.
• Berman, Antoine, Pour une critique des traductions: John Donne.
• Steiner, George, After Babel.

Supplementary Bibliography
• Selected critical reviews and essays on literary translation from the Greek and international press.
• Selected Greek translations and retranslations of literary works.
• Studies on the history of Greek literary translation.
• Studies on retranslation, the translator’s voice and the reception of translations.

Teaching combines lectures, seminar discussions, comparative reading of original texts and translations, analysis of retranslations, and discussion of critical reviews. Case studies from Greek and international translation traditions are used to encourage active student participation and the development of evidence-based critical argumentation.

Digital libraries, electronic collections of literary texts and translations, and online bibliographical resources are used to support teaching and learning. Digital teaching materials and the course’s online learning platform facilitate access to texts and communication with students. Digital tools and artificial intelligence applications in literary translation are examined critically.

Assessment follows one of the following schemes:

Option A: Final written examination (100%).

Option B: Final written examination (70%) and a portfolio of critical readings of literary translations (30%). The portfolio may include short critical commentaries, comparisons of translations or analyses of retranslations.

The assessment scheme is finalised and communicated to students at the beginning of the course.