during a discussion at the end of our reading at berl’s brooklyn poetry shop on feb. 2nd, an audience member asked a really great question:
what are some good essays and other writings that offer reflections on the process of translation?
in turn, the panelists had some fabulous answers, compiled here as a “readings in translation syllabus.” happy reading, & please add your own suggestions in the comments!
recommended by Bonnie Chau
- Esther Allen and Susan Bernofsky, eds. In Translation: Translators on Their Work and What It Means. Columbia University Press, 2013.
- Don Mee Choi. “Darkness—Translation—Migration.” Poetry Foundation, April 6, 2016.
- Jen Hofer. “Proximate Shadowing: Translation as Radical Transparency and Excess.” Poetry Foundation, April 30, 2016.
- John Keene. “Translating Poetry, Translating Blackness.” Poetry Foundation, April 28, 2016.
- Lucas de Lima. “Poetry Betrays Whiteness.” Poetry Foundation, April 12, 2016.
- “A Manifesto for Ultra Translation.” Antena.
- Joyelle McSweeney and Johannes Goransson. Deformation Zone. Ugly Duckling Presse, 2012.
- Cecilia Vicuña. “Language Is Migrant.” Poetry Foundation, April 18, 2016.
recommended by Elisa Wouk Almino
recommended by Emily Beyda
recommended by Meghan Forbes
- Walter Benjamin. “The Task of the Translator.” 1921.
- Paulina Duda. “From Nonsense to Nonsense: Translating Graphic Design.” Words Without Borders, September 2, 2016.
- Astradur Eysteinsson and Daniel Weissbort, ed. Translation: Theory and Practice. Oxford University Press, 2006.
- Uljana Wolf. False Friends. Translated by Susan Bernofsky. Ugly Duckling Presse, 2011.
harlequin creature 
Favorite favorite thing written about translation: Anne Carson. “Variations on the Right to Remain Silent,” in NAY RATHER. Cahiers Series (Sylph Editions), 2014.
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