Ottoman and Modern Turkish Translation Workshop

Catalog description

This workshop offers intensive practice in translating literary texts between Ottoman and modern Turkish and English. The focus is on the actual process of translation - what the translator does, and why. Through close reading, discussion, and peer critique, we will pursue independent projects, gaining insight into the craft and producing a substantial body of work. We will explore the structural differences between Ottoman/modern Turkish and English, recognize shifts in style and syntax across periods, and attend to questions of tone, register, and voice. We will also survey the history, theories, and practices of terceme and çeviri - translation - in Ottoman and Turkish contexts, while developing an individual translation practice enriched by insights from translation studies and by conversations with classmates. We will gain experience as supportive readers and editors of each other's work in progress - experience we will also apply to our own drafts. Suitable for students with advanced proficiency in Turkish.