Workshop Description

Don Mee Choi has written about the ‘impossible connections’ she makes between Korean and English. In this workshop, we will look at how to achieve these impossible connections. We will look at the interplay between words and their meanings: how a translator enters a poem, looks at the bonds which tie words together and unloosens them to carry them over to a new language. We will look at how a translator is a ferryman, a bridge builder, a path maker of words.

This workshop is organised in partnership with the Commonwealth Foundation.

 

Workshop Details

Date: Saturday, 7 October 2023

Time: 4pm to 6pm SGT | 9am to 11am BST

Format: Zoom

 

Workshop Itinerary

The workshop will contain two parts.
 
In the first part we will look at what makes a good translation, examining concepts of fidelity in translation and the freedom for translations to sing their own song. We will look at the nuts and bolts of translating poetry: what makes a good poem, how do you translate idioms and cultural practices, how do you choose what needs to be included and what discarded.
 
In the second part, we will read and discuss our own translations and collectively workshop translations in progress, offering advice and feedback in a supportive and safe environment.
 
This workshop is open to anyone wanting to learn about translating poetry or to existing translators of poetry or prose.
 
The focus will be on translating poetry into English, although issues covered could be transported to other languages.

 

Registration Guidelines

Participants are required to

  • Submit an English translation of not more than 40 lines of poetry, not including verse breaks. Do provide the necessary details of the work, such as the author and the title of the work. Do not, however, provide the source text in the document.

  •  A short answer to the questions, (1) "Why you would like to attend the workshop?" and (2) "What do you hope to gain out of the workshop?"

As slots are limited, we regret that there will be a selection process.

Access the registration form here.

 

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Cancellation:

The workshop can be cancelled or postponed two weeks before the workshop date if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Upon registration, you are deemed to have read and understood the terms and conditions and cancellation policy and accept the terms contained therein.

For enquiries, please email [email protected]