Translation of Prose Texts

Brief Description This course provides a practical framework for translating narrative prose, using children's stories—such as The Gingerbread Man—as a primary case study. The course moves beyond literal translation to explore stylistic adaptation, the preservation of rhythmic and dramatic elements, and the challenges of maintaining narrative flow across linguistic boundaries. It emphasizes the critical analysis of translation strategies, including "domestication" and "foreignization," to evaluate how cultural and structural nuances are transferred from the source text to the target text.

Target Audience

Master 1 students specializing in Modern and Contemporary Criticism.

General Objectives

• Enhancing Critical Analysis: Enable students to deconstruct narrative structures within the source text before reconstruction, ensuring the translation maintains the integrity of the literary genre.

• Mastering Translation Strategies: Practice selecting precise linguistic alternatives that ensure natural narrative flow, particularly when translating recurring rhythmic elements, such as the Gingerbread Man's refrain.

• Developing Creative Competence: Cultivate the ability to capture the "spirit" of a story rather than merely translating word-for-word, thereby supporting students' expertise in comparative literary criticism and creative translation.