A World of Difference: Literature in Translation
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Module Aims
Aim 1
Introduce students to the study of texts (fiction, drama, poetry, cinema, &c.) translated into English from other tongues and cultures.
Aim 2
Develop an understanding of the field of Word Literature and the function of translation in the promotion of texts from different places and, sometimes, distant times.
Aim 3
Encourage students to improve their understanding of their own culture and other cultures, and to develop their ability to analyse texts closely in a cross-cultural and non-Eurocentric context.
Aim 4
Enable students to compare and discuss representations of gender, sexuality, race, class, religion and mythology across linguistic and national boundaries, and drawn from a variety of historical contexts.
Aim 5
Encourage students to engage with key developments in literatures from a global perspective.
Aim 6
Enhance students’ research, writing and oral presentation skills.
Aim 7
Develop skills in assessing useful resources, in both print and digital formats.
Module Content
The module will introduce students to World Literature in translation and will consider the most important critical concepts for the practice of reading texts of this kind. The module will explore the role of languages, cultures and history in a global context as they inform the artistic productions of culturally diverse nations. It will involve detailed study of some highly distinctive cultural products and practices and will aim to challenge some ingrained cultural assumptions and presumptions about our ‘Others’ – those subjects most often represented ‘for’ us by writers from a similar background to our own. Ethical and political issues in the translation of certain languages into a hegemonic ‘world language’ such as English will be discussed with reference to critical concepts such as World literature and globalisation.
Sample set texts include: the epic of Gilgamesh, Chinese poetry, Aboriginal Australian songs and stories, the poetry of Hafez, the fiction of Bruno Schulz, the music of Fela Kuti, Ahmed Saadawi’s Frankenstein in Baghdad, Han Kang’s The Vegetarian.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
This module will be delivered on a weekly basis, with regular lecture and seminar slots. The lectures will introduce topics and outline the most important debates surrounding the texts selected for discussion. The seminars will provide the opportunity for more detailed discussion of this material, including the exploration of contexts for interpretation and analysis of primary texts. The workshops will encourage group discussion and activities and will also provide an opportunity to exhibit primary material (e.g. showing films) and to provide an overview of secondary material, such as important essays by experts in the field of World literature.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through two Essays.
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Compulsory
Optional
