Constructing Cultures: Essay on Literary Translation

by Susan Bassnett, Andre Lefevere

Overview

Translation Studies is currently one of the fastest growing interdisciplinary subjects in the world. Constructing Cultures brings together for the first time the work of the two translator/scholars who are regarded as founders of this major field of study. This collection of essays continues to develop some of the principal research lines that both have been pursuing in recent years, most specifically the cultural turn in Translation Studies. Among topics discussed are Chinese and Western theories of translation, the limits of translatability, when is a translation not a translation, why cultures develop certain genres at certain times, what is the relationship between Translation Studies and Cultural Studies. Some essays are genre specific, focusing on theatre translation or the translating of poetry, others are devoted to specific case studies, and consider the fortunes of such major writers as Virgil or Brecht in English. Written in the accessible, jargon-free style that characterises the work of Bassnett and Lefevere, this collection of essays will be invaluable to anyone interested in translation and comparative cultural studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781853593529
Publisher:	Multilingual Matters Ltd.
Publication date:	03/06/1998
Series:	Topics in Translation , #11
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.85(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Susan Bassnett is Professor in the Centre for British and Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Warwick. Her books include Translation Studies, Comparative Literature: A Critical Introduction and, together with André Lefevere, Translation, History and Culture. She is joint editor of the Topics in Translation series. André Lefevere (1946-1996) is one of the world's leading figures in Translation Studies. His many books include Translation Poetry: Seven Strategies and a Blueprint and Translation, Rewriting and the Manipulation of Literary Fame.

Table of Contents

Susan Bassnett: Preface
Edwin Gentzler: Foreword
Andre Lefevere and Susan Bassnett: Introduction: Where are we in Translation Studies?
1. Andre Lefevere: Chinese and Western Thinking on Translation
2. Susan Bassnett: When is a Translation not a Translation?
3. Andre Lefevere: Translation Practice(s) and the Circulation of Cultural Capital Some Aeneids in English
4. Susan Bassnett: Transplanting the Seed: Poetry and Translation
5. Andre Lefevere: The Gates of Analogy: The Kalevala in English
6. Susan Bassnett: Still Trapped in the Labyrinth: Further Reflections on Translation and Theatre
7. Andre Lefevere: Acculturating Bertolt Brecht
8. Susan Bassnett: The Translation Turn in Cultural Studies

Editorial Reviews

Brings together the work of two translator/scholars regarded as founders of the field, focusing on the cultural turn in translation studies. Among topics discussed are Chinese and Western theories of translation, the limits of translatability, why cultures develop certain genres at certain times, and the relation between translation studies and cultural studies. Some essays are genre specific, focusing on theater and poetry, and others are devoted to case studies of major writers such as Virgil and Brecht. Distributed by Taylor & Francis. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews