Translator in intercultural communication 3201-1TKM-OG

"Traduttore - traditore" – translators or traitors? – asked Julian Tuwim, one of the prominent Polish poets and translators. Each translator creates his/her own definition of ‘faithfulness’ and ‘unfaithfulness’, his understanding being influenced by major trends. The shape and content of his works result from this decision.

This module focuses on understanding various aspects of translation. We will combine theory and practice to approach translation in its full complexity as both an art and a science. Each class session will include a lecture and an open discussion, based on the comparative analysis of original texts (fiction and poetry) and their translations. We will talk about the context in which the original text was written and about the context, where the translation or translations emerged. Students will gain knowledge about theoretical ideas of the most prominent translators*. Reading their renditions will analyse of their ideas are reflected in their practice.
During three meetings will focus on the history of translation (the case of Rus and Russia).

Other subjects include: film adaptation as intersemiotic translation, culture and otherness in translation, history of translation, translation policy, central and peripheral literatures, censorship in translation, interpreting and interpreters during the Nuremberg Trial, interpreting for the refugees.

* Maximus the Greek, Julian Tuwim, Korney Chukovsky, J. S. Holmes, Robert Lowell, Jorge Luis Borges, Boris Pasternak, Stanislaw Baranczak;

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Course coordinators

Józefina Piątkowska-Brzezińska

Learning outcomes

After having finished this course the student will be able to comment on the choice between Anna Karenina and Madame Karenin and on how to translate Shakespeare's sense of humor.

The participants will:
-obtain knowledge about international literary relations,
- know different translation techniques;
- be able to identify different creteria to judge translation;
- know historical context of translation in Russia;
- realize what is central/peripheral postition of a translated work in various literary systems.

Assessment criteria

Attendance (min. 80%) and participation in the discussions.
Final test.

Bibliography

The lecture does not require any additional reading. Your knowledge of the most important content from the lecture will be enough to pass the final test.
The handouts with the texts will be provided during the lecture.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3201-1TKM-OG in USOSweb