Lost in Translating: Exploring the Poetry of Guido Catalano

Presenter Information

Arianna Valocchi, Oberlin College

Location

Science Center, A254

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-24-2015 2:45 PM

End Date

4-24-2015 3:45 PM

Abstract

Can an amateur Italian speaker produce a credible English translation of an Italian poem? Is it possible for a poem to truly “speak” to you in meaningful conversation if you are not a native speaker of its language? Guido Catalano is a living Italian poet whose works have not been translated into English. For this project, I am translating select poems in order to introduce him to the English-speaking world—and, in turn, to explore the limiting expectations of “authenticity” in poetry translation, and the ability of poetic inspiration to overcome linguistic mis-communication.

Notes

Session 2, Panel 10 - The Poetics of the Lives of Others
Moderator: Tom Newlin, Chair and Associate Professor of Russian Language, Literature, and Culture

Major

Comparative Literature

Advisor(s)

Stiliana Milkova, Comparative Literature

Project Mentor(s)

Stiliana Milkova, Comparative Literature

April 2015

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 24th, 2:45 PM Apr 24th, 3:45 PM

Lost in Translating: Exploring the Poetry of Guido Catalano

Science Center, A254

Can an amateur Italian speaker produce a credible English translation of an Italian poem? Is it possible for a poem to truly “speak” to you in meaningful conversation if you are not a native speaker of its language? Guido Catalano is a living Italian poet whose works have not been translated into English. For this project, I am translating select poems in order to introduce him to the English-speaking world—and, in turn, to explore the limiting expectations of “authenticity” in poetry translation, and the ability of poetic inspiration to overcome linguistic mis-communication.