A Masochist's Guide to Translating Boris Vian

A seminar by Dr Terry Bradford (University of Leeds) as a part of the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies Seminar Series (SLLCS).

This presentation seeks to illustrate how Boris Vian's novels resist machine translation (utterly). A raft of translation challenges will be discussed through examples of solutions found in the process of translating Trouble dans les andains (Trouble in the Swaths) and Vercoquin et le plancton (Vercoquin and the Plankton), both published by Wakefield Press (US: CA, MA).

The School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies Seminar Series (SLLCS) promotes Literary and Cultural Studies, including political and social thought, narratology and imagology, film, textual and visual studies, questions surrounding language learning and translation studies, and also practice-led research. We encourage comparative, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, as our intellectual inquiry is in the service of national and international debate and knowledge advancement, particularly on the construction of identity and otherness in literature and culture. The seminar series provides a forum for the dissemination and exchange of current and developing research from staff and postgraduate researchers within the school, and also from national and international guest speakers.

This event is run in accordance with Trinity’s Dignity and Respect policy, and its commitment to nurturing a respectful and inclusive research culture.
Please indicate if you have any access requirements, such as ISL/English interpreting, so that we can facilitate you in attending this event. Contact: hanrahaj@tcd.ie