Communicative competence in English at C1 level or above.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify and discuss key theoretical perspectives in the field of translation studies;
• Critically review translations and case-studies;
• Apply established theories and strategies to their own translations of literary texts;
• Reflect on the translation process and common translation problems, and give peer-feedback on translations.

Literary Translation: Theories, Methodologies, Genres

Translation is a complex notion, whose authority is ambiguous and contested. As Lawrence Venuti notes, translation is often perceived as a “second-order representation” and “is required to efface its second hand status with the effect of transparency, producing the illusion of authorial presence” (Venuti 2006: 6). For a long time, translation studies critics have debated the function of translation and the translator’s role in the literary canon. The course introduces students to a variety of theoretical positions in the field of translation studies and furnishes them with theoretical, methodological, and practical tools to undertake literary translation projects. During the seminars, we will analyse theories of translation by scholars such as Lawrence Venuti, Gideon Toury, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Pascale Casanova and others. We will also practice translation using samples of literary texts by British and Irish authors across genres such as the short story, detective fiction, and drama in preparation for the final written translation test. 

Mandatory Course Texts (Available in the university library)

(A); Chapter 1 in: Venuti, Lawrence. The Translator's Invisibility: A History of Translation. London: Routledge, 2006. 

(A); Chapters in: Venuti, Lawrence, ed. The Translation Studies Reader. Fourth Edition. Abingdon: Routledge, 2021. 

• Chapter 19: Gideon Toury. “The Nature and Role of Norms in Translation”. 197-210.
• Chapter 21: André Lefevere. “Mother Courage’s Cucumbers: Text, System and Refraction in a Theory of Literature. 231-246.
• Chapter 22: Antoine Berman. “Translation and the Trials of the Foreign”. 247-260.
• Chapter 25: Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. “The Politics of Translation.” 320-338.
• Chapter 29: Pascale Casanova. “Consecration and Accumulation of Literary Capital: Translation as Unequal Exchange”. 408-423.

(A); Chapters 2, 3, 4 in: Baker, Mona. In Other Words: A Course Book in Translation. Third Edition. Oxon: Routledge, 2018. 

(A); A selection of extracts from literary texts by British and Irish authors to translate will be made available on Teams.

Further information / additional material

Samples of literary texts to translate and any additional readings will be uploaded on Teams as soon as possible. A weekly schedule for the topics and readings will be illustrated at the beginning of the course and available on Teams. 

• Classes are partly lecture- and workshop-based and students will also be working in smaller groups. On a weekly basis, students are required to read an assigned text or complete a short translation exercise. Students are expected to come to class prepared to actively engage in a respectful academic discussion with their peers and their teacher. Attending regularly and preparing for class on a weekly basis will allow students to get a head start for the final examinations.

  
  

• Assessment

  • Lettorato (Language Exam): 40%

  The language exam (lettorato) is worth 40% of the overall grade and will take place in Semester 2. These written tests are scheduled in the official examination sessions (usually May, September, and January).

  • Semi-structured Translation and Analysis Test: 30% (Prova scritta semi-strutturata di traduzione e analisi).

  In this two-hour written exam, students will be given a  short literary extract to translate (English to Italian) and will answer open-ended questions on translation studies theories. This written test is also scheduled in the official examination sessions (3 examinations during the year, usually May, September, and January).

  • Oral Exam: 30%

  The Oral Exam will consist of questions on of the mandatory readings.

  ***Further information on the structure and contents of the exams will be provided in due course.*** 

The official language of instruction is English. Since some texts will be in Italian and the target language for translation is Italian, Italian will also be used.

English