Translating Literary Texts

Course Description:

Literary translation consists of the translation of poetry, plays, literary books, literary texts, as well as songs, rhymes, literary articles, novels, short stories, poems, etc. In literary translation we translate messages, not meanings. The text must be seen as an integral and coherent piece of work. For example, if we are translating from Arabic into English or vice versa, we must take into account that the two realities are very different, their cultures have sometimes opposite views on certain matters, as well as on scientific and technological development. So the search for equivalent words is more complex.

Course Objectives:

1. Identify a literary text for translation and examine the conventions of the technical texts
2. Differentiate type of texts, tools, language and strategies for literary translation
3. Assess a text in terms of target audience and register and choose the most appropriate translation strategy
4. Develop student's literary taste and ability to translate literary genres
5. Apply acquired knowledge of translation theories into translating literary texts e.g. cultural approaches