FF:AJL29054 Translation of Children's Lit. - Course Information

AJL29054 Translation of Literature for Children

Extent and Intensity

0/2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Taught in person.

Teacher(s)

Ing. Mgr. Jiří Rambousek, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

Ing. Mgr. Jiří Rambousek, Ph.D.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts

Timetable

Tue 12:00–13:40 G31

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 2/20, only registered: 0/20

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 15 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

The course deals with English texts that have influenced Czech literature for children and young adults. It offers an overview of the main tendencies in children's literature in English. Its main focus is on Czech translations of the most influential works and on recognizing the specifics of translating literature for children. The course does not cover the whole area of children's literature: for the reason given above (the influence on the formation of the genre in Czech literature, focus on "classical translations" of the genre), it focuses on the older periods. Most of the material for the course is available on its web page that is also a product of the course; the students' final papers contribute to the page.
In the course, the students will
- understand the position of children's literature in wider cultural contexts
- get acquainted with selected basic texts of children's literature in English
- realize the role of children's literature in education and its mixed literary-educational nature
- understand the specifics of translating this type of literature, and learn about its history and main figures in Czech culture
- actively contribute to the reflection of Czech translation by writing a paper (bibliographical, critical, or a prectical translation) to be published on the web page of the course
The work in the course includes practical translating and research in the fields of translation criticism and theory and literary history as well as some bibliographical work. The choice of authors and texts discussed in the course partly depends on students' experience as readers; they typically include translations of such authors as Daniel Defoe, Charles Kingsley, Lewis Carroll, Kenneth Grahame, Frank L. Baum, Arthur Ransome, J. R. R. Tolkien, Richard Adams. The course further deals with fictitious (pseudo-authentic) texts by alleged young writers, and briefly also with Czech literature for children in translation into English.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student will be able to:
- describe the development of children's literature in English and in Czech
- identify selected core texts of children's literature in English
- name the key transtions and translators of the genre, and describe the influence children's literature in English had on that written in Czech
- write an essay or a commented translation from the field.

Syllabus

• - Delimiting the field of children's literature, defining its specifics
• - Outlines of the history of literature for children in English and in Czech
• - Translation in literature for children: how does it differ from translation for adult readers?
• - Reflection of translation in literary histories and criticism (older books: see Bibliography; journals: Úhor, Zlatý máj)
• - Important and/or interesting authors and texts:
• Kenneth Grahame and the long-lived translation by Grimmichová: typical features of the trade; Charles Kingsley: a precursor almost neglected or mutilated in Czech translation; Mark Twain: is there a need for a new translation? Tradition vs. contemporary language; A. A. Milne; Lewis Carroll (not discussed in detail as there is a special course on his Alice books); Daniel Defoe: dozens of Robinsons - adaptation in children's literature; Rudyard Kipling; J. R. R. Tolkien...
• - Literature for young adults: pseudo-authentic texts and their translation (J. D. Salinger, Warren Miller and the importance of the Czech translation of Cool World, Alan Sillitoe, C. D. Payne, Sue Townsend, Jennifer Lynch...)
• - The oposite direction: Czech literature for children in English translations

Literature

• HUNT, Peter. An introduction to children's literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 241 s. ISBN 0-19-219261-2. 1994. info
• CHALOUPKA, Otakar and Jaroslav VORÁČEK. Kontury české literatury pro děti a mládež : (od začátku 19. století po současnost). 2. vyd. Praha: Albatros. 539 s. 1984. URL info
• Only connect : readings on children's literature. Edited by Sheila A. Egoff - L. F. Ashley - G. T. (Gordon Thomas) Stubbs. 2nd ed. Toronto: Oxford University Press. xix, 457 p. ISBN 0-19-540309-689. 1980. info
• CARPENTER, Humphrey and Mari PRICHARD. The Oxford companion to children's literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press. x, 586 s. ISBN 0-19-2115582-0. 1984. info
• COILLIE, Jan Van and Walter P. VERSCHUEREN. Children's Literature in Translation: Challenges and Strategies. St Jerome. 190 pp. ISBN 1-900650-88-6. 2006. info
• LATHEY, Gillian. The translation of children's literature : a reader. Clevedon: Multilingual matters. viii, 259. ISBN 1853599050. 2006. info
• ČEŇKOVÁ, Jana. Vývoj literatury pro mládež a její žánrové struktury : adaptace mýtů, pohádek a pověstí, autorská pohádka, poezie, próza a komiks pro děti a mládež. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál. 171 s. ISBN 807367095X. 2006. info
• O'SULLIVAN, James N. Comparative children's literature. Translated by Anthea Bell. 1st pub. London: Routledge. viii, 205. ISBN 0415305519. 2005. info

Teaching methods

Seminar with in-class discussions and several assignments during the semester (translations, literature searches, text analyses, comparisons of translations).

Assessment methods

The course is concluded with a paper contributing to the joint web page of the course. It is handed in electronically and its form depends on the topic selected - it can be an essay, translation review, translation with commentary introducing a new author/work, bibliographical research, etc.

Language of instruction

English

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

The course is taught annually.
Credit evaluation note: 2 původní kredity.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Předmět si nemohou zapsat studenti Bc. studia AJ

Teacher's information

http://www.phil.muni.cz/~jirka/child1ww.html

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