Elective course:Translation, conversion, and adaptation of English literature in modern culture 3200-M2-PF-FPK
The aim of the course is to analyze the notion of adaptation and conversion of classical English works of literature from the Middle Ages to the 19th century - such as an epic, drama or a novel - for the comprehensive benefit of the modern recipient and specific for his or her cultural background. Classic works of English literature make a considerable part of not only English cultural heritage, but European as well, and as such are a constant cultural presence whether in its original literary form or in popular written and audio visual productions. However, the modern viewer is no longer a member of that social, cultural, and linguistic , either due to continuing social and linguistic changes that occurred over the years, or, considering global character of modern culture, is of a radically different cultural background.
During the course students will analyze various modern forms of translation, adaptation and conversion of classical works of English literature not only in the purely linguistic context of translation, but also the need to relay the desired message of the original work through applying proper modifications for the benefit of its better comprehension, or expansions of original message by modern social, moral, religious or cultural issues, present in the target culture. Apart from analysis of the classic works of literature in the context of its original intended meaning and message, such issues will be analyzed as: social or cultural inadequacy in the original text; disruption of the communication process; or the necessity for application, and eventual efficiency of methods of adaptation and conversion of the original text in modern texts and works of culture. During the course students will analyze such elements as, e.g., validity of word-for-word translation, omission or expansion of the original work by new elements, updating the original text by modern equivalents, modification of the text and changes in contextualization, changing the genre or literary form of the original, or complete re-creation of the original text with preservation of only the main meaning or the idea behind the text.
Contact hours (in-class): 30 hrs
Self-study/individual work:
working with assigned texts – 20 hrs
revising and preparation for the end-of-term written test – 5 hrs
Self-study/individual work total: 25 hrs
If classroom learning is impossible, the workshop will be conducted with the help of distance communication tools, Google Meet/Zoom and others recommended by the University.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
After finishing the course the student will have:
the KNOWLEDGE
- about the characteristics of the prose, poetry and drama,
- about main problems associated with multi cultural translations and adaptation of works of literature for the targeted recepient
- on how complex and multilevelled can be the process of translation and adaptation of works of literature
the SKILLS
- to analyze a literary text for the purpose of its later translation and adaptation
- to identify possible problems associated with translation of old works of literature for the benefit of the contemporary viewer
- can decide which method of adaptation of text to choose depending on linguistic and cultural characteristics of the target audience
the ATTITUDES
- allowing to work within a group and lead a discussion
- making him/her aware of existing cultural differences between various groups of recepients of translated texts
- making him/her aware that translation involves analysis of cultural and linguistic aspects
Assessment criteria
Final grade is based on the results of the final written test. The percentage of points from the test determines the final score:
0-59%=2 (fail)
60%-68% = 3.0 (3)
69%-76% = 3.5 (3+)
77%-84% = 4.0 (4)
85%-92% = 4.5 (4+)
93%-98% = 5.0 (5)
99-100% = 5.0! (5!)
Failing results in receiving a failing grade in USOS in the first term and the need to retake the test in the same form during the retake session.
Students are required to attend all the classes. Students are allowed two unexcused absences per 30 contact hours.
Bibliography
Baker, Mona (ed.) (1998) Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies, London / New York: Routledge.
Bassnett, Susan (2002) Translation Studies, 3rd ed. London / New York: Routledge.
Cartmell, D., & Whelehan, I. (2007) The Cambridge Companion to Literature on Screen. Cambridge / Cambridge University Press.
Cronin, Michael (2009) Translation Goes to the Movies, London / New York: Routledge.
Hejwowski, Krzysztof (2007) Kognitywno-komunikacyjna teoria przekładu, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Munday, Jeremy (ed.) (2007) Translation as intervention, London and New York: Continuum, cop
Sanders, J. (2016) Adaptation and Appropriation. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge
Toury, Gideon (1995) Descriptive Translation Studies and Beyond, Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Venuti, Lawrence (2013) The Translator’s Invisibility, London / New York : Taylors & Francis Group.
Wojtasiewicz, Olgierd (1996) Wstęp do teorii tłumaczenia, Warszawa: TEPIS
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: