Welcome!

Yet who would wish to discourage the peoples of the world from translating, merely because it is fundamentally impossible?
                                 -- Thomas Mann The course is intended as an introduction to the theory and practice of translation -- both historical and current, both narrowly and broadly conceived.  We'll look first at the issue of translation proper (that is, text to text/language to language translation in its many variants) and then in the last part of the semester at other modes of rewriting and remaking, including translation from medium to medium.  Throughout the semester (and during particular class sessions) we will alternate between readings in translation theory, examination of instances of translation (both into English and out of English into other languages) and the practice of translation (both short exercises and longer projects).  All students will be required to do some writing on theory, some writing on instances of translation, and some translating of their own, but you will be able to choose the central focus of your final project.

Course Information

A typical class meeting will include some combination of: discussion of a theoretical essay or essays; discussion of a set of examples of translation (sometimes supplied by me, sometimes by class members); and a translation exercise of some kind.

The class will be divided into groups, insofar as possible by common language. Some of our work and some discussions will take place in the context of these groups; we will also sometimes work in smaller groups or pairs. Whatever language group you are placed in, you may use any language you like for your translation projects.

We will be having several in the course of the semester; students will also be expected (unless conflicts make this impossible) to attend the symposium “On Translating Homer,” to be held on campus the weekend of Nov. 18-19.

NB: If possible, please bring dictionaries for any languages you plan to use with you to class.

Texts:

Lawrence Venuti, Translation Studies Reader, 2nd edition (in bookstore).
John Biguenet and Rainer Schulte, The Craft of Translation (still to be ordered).

We will also read selections from:

G. Genette, Palimpsests: Literature in the Second Degree, trans. C. Newman and C. Doubinsky
R. Schulte and J. Biguenet. Theories of Translation: An Anthology of Essays from Dryden to Derrida.
L. Venuti, The Translator’s Invisibility

Other readings will be available on print reserve, on line, or in xeroxes.

Requirements:

Prepared attendance and participation.
Occasional short assignments and exercises
2 short (3-5 page) papers
2 short translation projects with accompanying commentary
1 long final paper or translation project

Students who think they may need accommodations in this course because of the impact of a disability are encouraged to meet with me privately early in the semester. Students should also contact Rick Webb, Coordinator, Office of Disabilities Services (rwebb@haverford.edu, (610) 896-1290, to verify their eligibility for reasonable accommodations as soon as possible. Early contact will help to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and delays.

Papers and Projects

Short paper topics and presentations:

(1)Presentation and paper on theoretical text:

On the day that we read the text of your choice, you are responsible (in some cases jointly) for starting our discussion. This will involve coming to class prepared with 2-3 questions about the text, and being prepared also to summarize/comment on at least one of the text’s central points or its treatment of some aspect of or example of translation. (You don’t need to try to summarize the whole thing, since the class will have read it.) ]

You will then write a 3-5 page paper on any aspect of this text, which will be due no later than the following Tuesday. In this paper you are free to discuss any aspect of the text that interests you; among the things you might consider are: the relationship between this text and other theoretical texts; its general approach to translation; any metaphors or analogies it uses; whether it is primarily descriptive or prescriptive -- that is, is it talking about what translation is or about how it should be done; its use of specific examples…..

(2)Presentation and paper on translations by other people:

On either Sept. 26, October 31, or Nov. 7th – see syllabus for your name – you should bring to class a short passage or poem in a language other than English, a “trot” (hyper-literal translation), and two or three English translations; you will give a brief presentation of these materials for discussion within your groups. The 2-3 translations may be from different historical periods or from the same period; they may represent very different approaches or variants of one approach.

You will then write a 3-5 page paper comparing these translations, due no later than the Tuesday after the class in which you gave your presentation. You may discuss any aspect of the translations that interests you, but you should take into account both particular issues dealt with by the translators and their general approach to translation. If possible, see if you can apply some of the theoretical material we have been reading.

Translation projects:

(1)Write two drafts of a translation of a short poem or piece of prose. Append a brief commentary on the changes you made between first and second draft and why. Make available to your discussion group no later than Monday October 23rd. Hand in final version to Prof. Roberts no later than Friday October 27th.

(2)Write two different types of translation of a short poem or piece of prose. Append a brief commentary on the differences between the two. Make available to your discussion group no later than Monday Nov. 27th. Hand in final version to Prof. Roberts no later than Friday Dec. 1st.

Final paper or project:

This may take several forms:

A 10 page discussion of translation theory

A 10 page discussion of a particular translation or group of translations

A translation or portfolio of translations, roughly 10 pages in length including a 1-2 page introduction describing your approach and aspects of your experience.

General rules on papers/presentations:

You are not required to use any secondary sources beyond the theoretical texts read for class, but you should be sure to cite these (and your primary sources) properly; if you do use any other sources you should of course cite them as well.

I am happy to read outlines and drafts if you give me enough time.

If you need an extension, ask for one. I will lower the grade of late papers for which no extension has been requested.

You may ask for an extension on a paper, but you are responsible for being present in class to do your presentation and provide translation examples on the scheduled date unless you arrange an exchange with someone in advance.