Translation: Interpreting & Adapting

4.0 credits

This course approaches translation not merely as the transference of words from one language to another, but as a richly layered artistic, social, and political act. What does it mean to translate—not just a text, but a worldview or a voice? What opportunities and difficulties shape the work of professional translators? And to what extent does the translator emerge as a creative force, as an author, an interpreter, or a community builder? Through case studies spanning textual, audiovisual, and multimodal forms, we will investigate translations both familiar and unexpected: the rendering of an advertisement or museum label; the subtitling of a theatrical performance; and the high-stakes work of interpretation in medical, legal, or activist settings. Students will experiment with their own translations, engage with readings that challenge ideas of authorship, and collaborate with community partners. The culminating project invites students to extend their insights into real-world contexts and make language a site of transformation.