Literary Translation

In considering the translation of literary texts, and the myriad idiosyncrasies in a process of transferring a poem, novel or dramatic text from one language and culture to another, we recognize a multifaceted, and often necessarily creative, act. Especially when authors become involved with the practice, they frequently transcend and redefine what we commonly accept as translation, and its limits. In this postgraduate course we will investigate a range of settings between imitation and literary experiment, proceed to look into examples of versions and hybrid texts, in an attempt at a critical understanding of the fruitful dialogue between original and translation. This also helps us become more aware of translators’ essential role when it comes to receiving an author in another language and literary tradition. And, further, to identify the limits and principal conventions of ‘translation proper’ as well as adequately evaluate its presence inside the realm of literature.

Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be able to:

• Have a deeper understanding of the conditions in which translators of literature operate, as they are required to engage two literary traditions.
• Enrich their knowledge about the defining characteristics of key literary genre.
• Grasp the complex nature and particular challenges posed by literary translation, as well the creative choices available to them.
• Produce paratexts that often necessarily accompany literary translations and to understand the close relationship of translators and literary critics, and how both communicate with publishers and the reading public.
• Research and become aware of reception issues that connect with the literary translator’s activities and to evaluate the place of translations within literary history.

Week 1: LITERARY TRANSLATION: DIALOGUES OF THEORY AND PRACTICE

Week 2: POETRY AND UNTRANSLATABILITY

Week 3: COLLABORATIVE SETTINGS

Week 4: TRANSLATION AND LITERARY CREATIVITY

Week 5: TRANSLATING PROSE

Week 6: LITERARY TRANSLATION AND PUBLISHING

Week 7: TRANSLATION AS A THEME IN LITERARY TEXTS

Week 8: (RE)TRANSLATING THE CLASSICS

Week 9:  TRANSLATING GREEK POETS INTO ENGLISH

Week 10: TRANSLATING ENGLISH-SPEAKING POETS INTO GREEK

Week 11: WHAT IS A POETIC/CREATIVE TRANSLATION?

Week 12:  BILINGUAL WRITERS/SELF-TRANSLATION

Week 13: DISCUSSING MULTIPLE TRANSLATION

Arrojo, Rosemary (2017). Fictional Translators. Λονδίνο και Νέα Υόρκη: Routledge.

Boase-Beier, Jean & Holman, Michael (επιμ.) (1999) The Practices of Literary Translation: Constraints and Creativity. Μάντσεστερ: St. Jerome.

Keeley, Edmund (1998) On Translation: Reflections and Conversations. Amsterdam: Harwood Academic Publishers.

Κέντρο Ελληνικής Γλώσσας (ΚΕΓ) (1998) Η Γλώσσα της Λογοτεχνίας και η Γλώσσα της Μετάφρασης. Θεσσαλονίκη: ΚΕΓ.

Malmkjaer, Kirsten (2019). Translation and Creativity. Λονδίνο και Νέα Υόρκη: Routledge.

Nikolaou, Paschalis & Kyritsi, Maria-Venetia (επιμ.) (2008) Translating Selves: Experience and Identity Between Languages and Literatures. Λονδίνο και Νέα Υόρκη: Continuum.

Face-to-face/Working with texts of increasing difficulty and length, and across several genres. In parallel, we engage with several critical and theoretical texts in translation studies and comparative literature, also investigating thoroughly a range of paratexts produced by the literary translator (introductions, biographical notes, afterwords, etc). Study material and updates are further provided through the Department’s e-class platform.

Use of ICT in Teaching.

In addition to literary translation tasks in class, students are asked to submit a research assignment at the end of the semester.