Guest Lecture: 'Translating Fiction: How to Make a Japanese Book English' [17 Dec 2014]

17 December 2014  13.20-14.20　　　

Lecture Room 3 (Second Floor, Faculty of Humanities, Law and Economics Building)

'Translating Fiction: How to Make a Japanese Book English　　　　　　（翻訳入門）'

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Topics

The lecture will aim to touch on some of the following discussion points: What is translation anyway?  What should a 'good' translation do?  Does everybody agree on what a 'good translation' is?  What are the problems that come up when translating?  What are the problems that come up specifically when translating from Japanese into English?  How is literary translation different from other kinds of translation?  How are certain genres different from others?  What are the good things about translating professionally, and what are the bad?  what kind of people can become translators?

 Students of Mie University  If you wish to attend, please email your name and the number of attendants by 16 December to:  y.yoshino (at) human.mie-u.ac.jp

In addition to the lecture, students taking courses on American and British Literatures are expected to participate in the 'Poetry Reading and Translation Workshop' as well.  Time and venue will be announced in class.

The lecture is open to public.  If you wish to attend, please email your name and the number of attendants by 16 December to:  y.yoshino (at) human.mie-u.ac.jp

Questions are very welcome!  Please come along with your own ideas and queries about translation.

 Lecturer Profile: Polly Barton (Translator)　　　　　　　　　　　　

Polly Barton is a translator currently based in Japan.  She received a B.A. in Philosophy (1st honours) from the University of Cambridge, and an M.A. with Dictinction in Theory and Practice of Translation from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

She has translated a wide range of genres from Japanese to English, including literary works, articles regarding Japanese literature and culture, and explanatory notes and panels for museum exhibitions.  In 2012 she won the First Prize in the First Translation Competition held by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan.