Portuguese 490STA - ST-Brazil in Translation

What is the history of translation of Brazilian fiction into the English language? How has Brazilian literature been pictured in the Anglophone world? Which works and authors were translated during the Second World War and why? Is the 21st century the age of Brazilian literature retranslation? This course aims to provide an overview of Brazilian literature in the English language by looking at the most representative works, authors and translators from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st century. The course will, at the same time, offer a space for an introductory practical workshop of Portuguese-English translation emphasizing translation as a creative, inspiring and powerful activity. Through various readings, discussions and translation activities we will be doing then two main things in this course: first, explore the trajectory of Brazilian fiction in English; second, experience the challenges and beauty of translating from Brazilian Portuguese. The course consists of an introduction and four main modules. Each module includes several case studies that students will research, analyze and reflect through translation. By way of these specific case studies the course will introduce key moments in the translation of Brazil in the United States, explore the various historical contexts involved in each case and study their specific linguistic, cultural and political themes.