The Literary Translation 3200-M1-0PL
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the specific nature of translating literary (poetic) texts, the most important contemporary and historical research trends in global and Polish schools of literary translation, and the philosophical aspects of translation. Students will become acquainted with relevant scholarly literature, analyze translations of poetic texts, and deepen their knowledge of the discipline’s terminology. In doing so, they will refine their translation skills and prepare for conducting research in a selected area of literary translation.
The course content includes, among others, the following topics:
1. The specific nature of translating poetic texts in comparison with other types of translation; characteristics of poetic texts as translations (structure and stylistic devices in lyrical verse).
2. Problems involved in translating micro-literary works: stylistic, grammatical, syntactic, and pragmatic issues; consequences of adopted techniques and strategies.
3. Analysis and interpretation of literary works and their translations; identification of stylistic devices, metrical structures (rhyme, rhythm), and cultural elements.
4. Historical and contemporary trends and schools of literary translation worldwide and in Poland.
5. Translation approaches of renowned translators of poetry, including Julian Tuwim, Stanisław Barańczak, J. L. Borges, and Borys Pasternak.
6. Philosophical problems of translation and the culture-forming role of translation.
7. Intersemiotic translation: illustrations for poetry volumes, film adaptations of poetry, poetry inspired by works of art, and visual images inspired by poetry.
8. The literary translator: their roles and the ethical dimension of their work.
9. Outstanding Polish translations of major works of world literature.*
NOTE: It is recommended that the main topics be discussed using examples of outstanding Polish translations of world literature, selected in accordance with the linguistic specificity of the course group.
Student workload:
• 30 contact hours = 1 ECTS
• 30 hours of individual work, including a semester paper = 1 ECTS
Total: 60 hours = 2 ECTS
Classes are implemented as part of the Integrated Teaching Development Programme – ZIP 2.0, co-financed by the European Social Fund under the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no. FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00).
|
Term 2024L:
Program of classes (the most important points of the program in bold):y). |
Term 2025Z:
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the specificity of translating poetic texts, with the most important contemporary and historical directions of research within the world and Polish schools of literary translation, as well as its philosophical aspects. Students get acquainted with the literature of the subject, carry out analyzes of translations of literary texts, deepen their knowledge of subject terminology, improve their translator's skills and prepare to conduct research in a given field. The content of education includes such issues as: |
Term 2025L:
Course Program (subject to students’ needs and the languages they study) PPJM If classroom learning is impossible, the workshop will be conducted with the help of distance communication tools recommended by the University. Student’s workload: 30 contact hours (1 ECTS) The course is conducted within the “Integrated Teaching & Learning Development Programme – ZIP 2.0”, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund – the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no.: FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00). |
Term 2026Z:
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the specificity of translating poetic texts, with the most important contemporary and historical directions of research within the world and Polish schools of literary translation, as well as its philosophical aspects. Students get acquainted with the literature of the subject, carry out analyzes of translations of literary texts, deepen their knowledge of subject terminology, improve their translator's skills and prepare to conduct research in a given field. The content of education includes such issues as: |
Term 2026L:
Course Program (subject to students’ needs and the languages they study) PPJM If classroom learning is impossible, the workshop will be conducted with the help of distance communication tools recommended by the University. Student’s workload: 30 contact hours (1 ECTS) The course is conducted within the “Integrated Teaching & Learning Development Programme – ZIP 2.0”, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund – the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no.: FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00). |
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Term 2025Z: | Term 2024Z: | Term 2026L: | Term 2024L: | Term 2025L: | Term 2026Z: |
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE - the student knows and understands:
1. Key concepts and terms related to literary (especially poetic) translation (K_W04);
2. Translation strategies and techniques used in literary translation in various historical and translation contexts (K_W02);
3. Historical and latest trends, problems and research methodologies in the field of literary translation and knows where the most important research centers of literary translation in Europe and in the world are (K_W05);
4. Fundamental problems of literary translation as an interlingual and intercultural phenomenon (K_W08);
5. The professional environment of a literary translator and the process of translating literary works (K_W10);
6. Principles of intellectual property protection and copyright as they apply to literary translation (K_W07).
SKILLS – the student is able to:
1. Apply knowledge of literary translation theory to solve complex translation problems through creative interpretation of the source text, appropriate selection of sources, and adequate assessment of translation functions and strategies (K_U01);
2. Use acquired knowledge to conduct research in the field of literary translation using appropriate methodologies (K_U04);
3. 3. At an advanced level, search for, analyze, evaluate, and select information on literary translation in the native language and foreign languages, using contemporary information and communication technologies (K_U03);
4. 4. Formulate and articulate independent views and ideas, support arguments with reference to the work of other scholars, and draw well-reasoned conclusions both orally and in writing (K_U06);
5. 5. Independently acquire knowledge in the theory, practice, and criticism of literary translation, and evaluate the usefulness of learned methods, practices, and procedures for their own professional activity (K_U09).
COMPETENCIES – the student is ready to:
1. 1. Critically evaluate original literary texts and their translations (K_K01);
2. Recognize the importance of knowledge, including translation expertise, in solving translation problems (K_K05);
3. Critically assess research in the field of literary translation, particularly studies published in academic journals and monographs, as well as popular-science sources (K_K06);
4. Responsibly perform the professional role of a literary translator, taking into account changing social and market demands (K_K02);
5. Uphold the ethos of the translator’s profession and adhere to, as well as contribute to the development of, principles of professional ethics for translators (K_K04).
Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria:
• Regular attendance at classes (a maximum of two absences permitted);
• Active participation in the discussion of texts;
• Each participant is required to present a paper analyzing the original version of a selected poem and two of its translations. The paper should include information about the author of the poem and its translators, the context of the poem’s creation, the criteria applied in evaluating the translations, and the student’s own assessment of the effects achieved through the translators’ chosen solutions.
Student workload:
• 30 contact hours = 1 ECTS
• 30 hours of individual work, including the semester paper = 1 ECTS
Total: 60 hours = 2 ECTS
Bibliography
The course is run for various language groups - the choice of academic texts is left to the individual teacher.
|
Term 2024L:
Balcerzan E., 1996, Literatura z literatury (strategie tłumaczy), „Śląsk”(w szczególności: Poetyka przekładu artystycznego, s. 17- 31). Stanisław Barańczak „ Przekład artystyczny jako „samoistny” i „związany” obiekt interpretacji interpretacji (na przykładzie niektórych tłumaczeń Gottfrieda Benna” [w:] Z teorii i historii przekładu artystycznego, red. Jacek Baluch, Kraków 1974. |
Term 2025Z:
Barańczak, Stanisław. Ocalone w tłumaczeniu: szkice o warsztacie tłumacza poezji. Wydawnictwo a5, 1992. Borges, Jorge Luis. Pierre Menard, autor Don Kichota. Przeł. Andrzej Sobol-Jurczykowski. Fikcje, Znak, 1998. Borges, Jorge Luis. Tłumacze Księgi Tysiąca i Jednej Nocy. Przeł. Andrzej Sobol-Jurczykowski. Pochwała cienia, Znak, 1999. Catford, J. C. A Linguistic Theory of Translation: An Essay in Applied Linguistics. London: Oxford University Press, 1965. Even-Zohar, Itamar. “The Position of Translated Literature within the Literary Polysystem.” Poetics Today, vol. 11, no. 1, 1990, pp. 45–51. Heydel, Magda. „Zwrot przekładowy.” Teksty Drugie, nr 1, 2013, s. 9–22. Holmes, James S. “The Name and Nature of Translation Studies.” In The Translator’s Studies, edited by Richard W. Brislin, 172–180. New York: Academic Press, 1972. Nida, Eugene A. Toward a Science of Translating. E.J. Brill, 1964. Savory, Theodore H. The Art of Translation. Jonathan Cape, 1957. Reiss, Katharina, and Hans J. Vermeer. Grundlegung einer allgemeinen Translationstheorie. Niemcy: Niemeyer, 1984. Toury, Gideon. Descriptive Translation Studies – and Beyond. John Benjamins, 1995. Tymoczko, Maria. “Postcolonial Writing and Literary Translation.” The Translator, vol. 6, no. 2, 2000, pp. 171–188. Tuwim, Julian. Pegaz dęba, czyli panoptikum poetyckie. Czytelnik, 1958. Venuti, Lawrence. The Translator’s Invisibility: A History of Translation. Routledge, 1995. |
Term 2025L:
Balcerzan E., 1996, Literatura z literatury (strategie tłumaczy), „Śląsk”(w szczególności: Poetyka przekładu artystycznego, s. 17- 31). Stanisław Barańczak „ Przekład artystyczny jako „samoistny” i „związany” obiekt interpretacji interpretacji (na przykładzie niektórych tłumaczeń Gottfrieda Benna” [w:] Z teorii i historii przekładu artystycznego, red. Jacek Baluch, Kraków 1974. PPJM Balcerzan, Edward; Bokiewicz, Jan (red.) (1977). Pisarze polscy o sztuce przekładu 1440–1974. Antologia. Poznań: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie. |
Term 2026Z:
Barańczak, Stanisław. Ocalone w tłumaczeniu: szkice o warsztacie tłumacza poezji. Wydawnictwo a5, 1992. Borges, Jorge Luis. Pierre Menard, autor Don Kichota. Przeł. Andrzej Sobol-Jurczykowski. Fikcje, Znak, 1998. Borges, Jorge Luis. Tłumacze Księgi Tysiąca i Jednej Nocy. Przeł. Andrzej Sobol-Jurczykowski. Pochwała cienia, Znak, 1999. Catford, J. C. A Linguistic Theory of Translation: An Essay in Applied Linguistics. London: Oxford University Press, 1965. Even-Zohar, Itamar. “The Position of Translated Literature within the Literary Polysystem.” Poetics Today, vol. 11, no. 1, 1990, pp. 45–51. Heydel, Magda. „Zwrot przekładowy.” Teksty Drugie, nr 1, 2013, s. 9–22. Holmes, James S. “The Name and Nature of Translation Studies.” In The Translator’s Studies, edited by Richard W. Brislin, 172–180. New York: Academic Press, 1972. Nida, Eugene A. Toward a Science of Translating. E.J. Brill, 1964. Savory, Theodore H. The Art of Translation. Jonathan Cape, 1957. Reiss, Katharina, and Hans J. Vermeer. Grundlegung einer allgemeinen Translationstheorie. Niemcy: Niemeyer, 1984. Toury, Gideon. Descriptive Translation Studies – and Beyond. John Benjamins, 1995. Tymoczko, Maria. “Postcolonial Writing and Literary Translation.” The Translator, vol. 6, no. 2, 2000, pp. 171–188. Tuwim, Julian. Pegaz dęba, czyli panoptikum poetyckie. Czytelnik, 1958. Venuti, Lawrence. The Translator’s Invisibility: A History of Translation. Routledge, 1995. |
Term 2026L:
Balcerzan E., 1996, Literatura z literatury (strategie tłumaczy), „Śląsk”(w szczególności: Poetyka przekładu artystycznego, s. 17- 31). Stanisław Barańczak „ Przekład artystyczny jako „samoistny” i „związany” obiekt interpretacji interpretacji (na przykładzie niektórych tłumaczeń Gottfrieda Benna” [w:] Z teorii i historii przekładu artystycznego, red. Jacek Baluch, Kraków 1974. PPJM Balcerzan, Edward; Bokiewicz, Jan (red.) (1977). Pisarze polscy o sztuce przekładu 1440–1974. Antologia. Poznań: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie. |
Notes
|
Term 2024L:
None |
Term 2025L:
The course is conducted within the “Integrated Teaching & Learning Development Programme – ZIP 2.0”, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund – the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no.: FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00). |
Term 2026L:
The course is conducted within the “Integrated Teaching & Learning Development Programme – ZIP 2.0”, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund – the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no.: FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00). |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: