What Is the Role of Translation in Comparative Literature?

TL;DR

Translation significantly influences the relationships among European literatures and the formation of the European canon. Professor Reine Meylaerts explores its sociological dimensions, particularly regarding multilingual writing and self-translation in Belgium during the 19th and early 20th centuries. She emphasizes the need for cohesive translation and language policies to support integration in multilingual societies.

Transcript

we're in tarragona with how do we pronounce your name for real i say miranda hey now and my let's what do you do what's your job at this moment yeah i'm a professor in comparative literature at ku leuven meaning the flemish university in flanders belgium and i'm teaching there several courses on comparative literature one course on european literat... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏤 Translation plays a crucial role in understanding and shaping relationships between European literatures and the European canon.
• ✍️ The professor's research focuses on the sociological aspects of translation, particularly in relation to multilingual writing and self-translation.
• 👨‍🔬 Translation policies are integral to language policies in multilingual societies, and there is a need for further research and empirical evidence in this area.
• 🗯️ Linguistic and territorial principles of nations can often conflict with the multilingualism and mobility of populations, highlighting the importance of translation in integration and securing linguistic and translational rights.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the professor incorporate translation into her courses on comparative literature?

The professor teaches her students about the role of translation in shaping relationships between European literatures and the European canon. She emphasizes the importance of translation in understanding the complexities of literature.

Q: Is translation studies a core aspect of the professor's courses?

While the professor teaches within the department of literary studies, rather than translation studies, she still incorporates translation into her courses on comparative literature. However, she acknowledges that she would prefer translation to be a more central component of her teaching.

Q: What is the focus of the professor's research on translation within Belgium?

The professor's research explores the sociological aspects of translation within Belgium. Specifically, she investigates the activities of writing, translating, and self-translating in a period where bilingualism was prevalent and faced criticism.

Q: How does the professor define the concepts of self-translation and multilingual writing?

The professor sees self-translation and multilingual writing as part of a continuum of activities. She believes that labeling them as self-translation or multilingual writing reveals more about our definition of translation than about their inherent differences.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The professor teaches courses on comparative literature, translation, and multilingualism at the Flemish University in Belgium.

• She emphasizes the importance of translation in shaping relationships between European literatures and the European canon.

• Her research focuses on the sociological aspects of translation, particularly in the context of multilingual writing and self-translation in 19th and early 20th century Belgium.