Fall 2007

PRS 380C • SEMINAR/WORKSHOP IN PERSIAN LITERARY TRANSLATION

Course Description

This course is essentially designed to familiarize students with the practice of translation. Questions pertaining to creativity and losses in rendering a text and the pitfalls or desirability of literal and free translation methods are addressed. Following a survey of common literary translation theories and an examination of samples of published literary translations, initially participants in the seminar/workshop translate a number of short literary passages from Persian into English. These translations are discussed and evaluated by all participants. The students then undertake the translation of a longer literary work, also as a group project. The final version of this project will be edited by all participants as a text prepared for publication.

Grading Policy

Completion of all projects and assignments, and active participation in class discussions. Completion of weekly assignments: 30%; completion of longer project: 70%

Texts

M. R. Ghanoonparvar, Translating the Garden (university of Texas Press: 2002). Other material will be available in photocopies.

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