Luise von Flotow (translation scholar)

TL;DR

This conversation explores the link between feminist translation studies and the role of translators in reproducing texts, highlighting the importance of ethics and the impact of context.

Transcript

in Ottawa with Louisa thank you very good Louisa what do you do I'm professor for translation translation studies I trained on the one hand undergraduate students who are becoming translators of French working into English and I yeah so you I was born in Canada so Canada yeah my parents are German immigrants to Canada and I was born shortly after t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏑 Feminism in translation studies has been marginalized, but Louisa believes it should regain prominence in the field.
• 😌 The connection between feminism and translation studies lies in the subordination of translators and the control over their work.
• 🖐️ Context and ethics play a significant role in translation practices, challenging the assumption that translation can reproduce the exact meaning of the original text.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Louisa to pursue a career in translation studies?

Louisa's multicultural upbringing and interest in languages led her to pursue a MA in French translation, which allowed her to contribute to the translation of Quebec women's writing.

Q: Why does Louisa believe that feminism in translation studies has been pushed aside?

Louisa believes that feminism lost its prominence in the field due to the rise of gender and queer studies, which minimized the focus on women's issues.

Q: What is the connection between feminism and translation studies?

There is a link between feminism and translation studies, particularly in terms of the subordination of translators and the control over their work. The sexual connotations associated with translation further reinforce this connection.

Q: How does Louisa feel about the notion that translation is violence?

While she acknowledges that some scholars view translation as violence, Louisa believes that translation grants access to valuable material and is not inherently violent. She emphasizes the importance of translation in providing access to diverse texts.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Louisa is a professor of translation studies and discusses her experience teaching and researching in this field.

• She reflects on the challenges faced by women in translation studies and emphasizes the need to bring back the focus on feminism in the field.

• The conversation also touches on the connection between feminism and translation studies, particularly in terms of subordination and control over translators' work.

• Louisa encourages research on news translation and urges scholars to consider the ethics and context of translation practices.