WiSe 20/21: Ü1-Literary Translation: Transcreation: Re-thinking Translation in Terms of Creative Writing
Ruth Wishart
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This year-long course takes an experimental approach to intercultural translation. While the more traditional approach to translation is to focus on questions of fidelity to the source text, this course will give equal consideration to the target audience and culture, and explore ways in which texts can – and possibly should – be entirely transposed from one language and culture to another in order to elicit the desired emotional response from the target audience.
The term transcreation originated in advertising and marketing to describe the process of adapting a message from one language to another while evoking the same emotions and carrying the same implications (the reason why "Haribo macht Kinder froh und Erwachsene ebenso" becomes " Kids and grown-ups love it so, the happy world of Haribo" rather than "Haribo makes kids happy, and grown-ups too"). This course will explore ways in which this concept has been – and can be – applied to other genres, in particular literature. Following what has been called the "creative turn" in translation theory, we will explore how translation is being rethought and redefined in terms of adaptation and creative writing.
Students will be required to produce their own "transcreative" translations on a regular basis for analysis and discussion in class workshops.
Note on Language Skills: Unlike traditional translation courses where students generally translate between two languages, transcreation can function intralingually as well as interlingually (the American version of Harry Potter would be one simple example, but so would Lambs’Tales of Shakespeare, as well as West Side Story and Gnomeo and Juliet), which means that the course can be successfully completed without knowledge of German.
Learning OutcomesDuring the module, students will develop:
- their own imagination, self-criticism and craft through a combination of structured translation exercises and independent work
- an understanding of a wide range of creative translation strategies
- an awareness of the diversity and interconnectedness of possible approaches to literary translation
- critical and creative thinking on their own translation practices as well as those of others
Over the course of the semester, students will be required to actively take part in all translation assignments, and compile a portfolio of short pieces of creative translation (approximately 2500 words).
Please note that the entire module runs over two semesters: the second part is offered in the summer semester.
The entire module (winter and summer semesters) is worth 15 credit points.
Coronavirus restrictionsAll my courses in the winter semester 1920/21 will be held in person in the classroom. Unfortunately, this means that I will have to restrict entry into some courses, due to the physical distancing required by the university.
All course material will be available online, and it will also be possible to set up an online platform for students who are not able to attend the course in person.
The capacity for this course is currently 11.
close14 Class schedule
Regular appointments