Comparative Literature 130 - Translation Matters

This introductory course examines the far-reaching significance of translation and uses insights and practices from the field of literary translation to help students improve their communication skills. Translation is not just a straightforward matter of exchanging words in one language for words in another. It involves cultural, social, aesthetic, political, economic, and ethical considerations. Students will be able to explore these issues through readings in translation scholarship, through comparisons of multiple translations of the same literary text, and through written exercises that put theory into practice. The skills gained in this course will be useful in improving oral and written communication between or within cultures and languages. Discussions may draw on familiarity with languages other than English, but knowledge of another language is not required for the course. (Gen. Ed. AL, DG)