Literature in Translation

Teaching Issues and Reading Practices

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Translating & Interpreting, Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Theory
Cover of the book Literature in Translation by , The Kent State University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781612775388
Publisher: The Kent State University Press Publication: November 30, 2010
Imprint: The Kent State University Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781612775388
Publisher: The Kent State University Press
Publication: November 30, 2010
Imprint: The Kent State University Press
Language: English

New pedagogy for studying literature in translation

In the last several decades, literary works from around the world have made their way onto the reading lists of American university and college courses in an increasingly wide variety of disciplines. This is a cause for rejoicing. Through works in translation, students in our mostly monolingual society are at last becoming acquainted with the multilingual and multicultural world in which they will live and work. Many instructors have expanded their reach to teach texts that originate from across the globe. Unfortunately, literature in English translation is frequently taught as if it had been written in English, and students are not made familiar with the cultural, linguistic, and literary context in which that literature was produced. As a result, they submit what they read to their own cultural expectations; they do not read in translation and do not reap the benefits of intercultural communication.

Here a true challenge arises for an instructor. Books in translation seldom contain introductory information about the mediation that translation implies or the stakes involved in the transfer of cultural information. Instructors are often left to find their own material about the author or the culture of the source text. Lacking the appropriate pedagogical tools, they struggle to provide information about either the original work or about translation itself, and they might feel uneasy about teaching material for which they lack adequate preparation. Consequently, they restrict themselves to well-known works in translation or works from other countries originally written in English.

Literature in Translation: Teaching Issues and Reading Practices squarely addresses this pedagogical lack. The book’s sixteen essays provide for instructors a context in which to teach works from a variety of languages and cultures in ways that highlight the effects of linguistic and cultural transfers.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

New pedagogy for studying literature in translation

In the last several decades, literary works from around the world have made their way onto the reading lists of American university and college courses in an increasingly wide variety of disciplines. This is a cause for rejoicing. Through works in translation, students in our mostly monolingual society are at last becoming acquainted with the multilingual and multicultural world in which they will live and work. Many instructors have expanded their reach to teach texts that originate from across the globe. Unfortunately, literature in English translation is frequently taught as if it had been written in English, and students are not made familiar with the cultural, linguistic, and literary context in which that literature was produced. As a result, they submit what they read to their own cultural expectations; they do not read in translation and do not reap the benefits of intercultural communication.

Here a true challenge arises for an instructor. Books in translation seldom contain introductory information about the mediation that translation implies or the stakes involved in the transfer of cultural information. Instructors are often left to find their own material about the author or the culture of the source text. Lacking the appropriate pedagogical tools, they struggle to provide information about either the original work or about translation itself, and they might feel uneasy about teaching material for which they lack adequate preparation. Consequently, they restrict themselves to well-known works in translation or works from other countries originally written in English.

Literature in Translation: Teaching Issues and Reading Practices squarely addresses this pedagogical lack. The book’s sixteen essays provide for instructors a context in which to teach works from a variety of languages and cultures in ways that highlight the effects of linguistic and cultural transfers.

More books from The Kent State University Press

Cover of the book Democratic Narrative, History, and Memory by
Cover of the book Blood and Ink by
Cover of the book Creating People of Plenty by
Cover of the book I Left My Wings on a Chair by
Cover of the book Helping Others Helping Ourselves by
Cover of the book Sword of the Border by
Cover of the book Crossing the Deadlines by
Cover of the book One of Custer's Wolverines by
Cover of the book Gentleman George Hunt Pendleton by
Cover of the book A Profile in Alternative Medicine by
Cover of the book The Best School by
Cover of the book Plain Dealing by
Cover of the book A Man of Distinction Among Them by
Cover of the book Fiction as Fact by
Cover of the book Baseball Goes West by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy