The Conference of the Tongues

Description

The Conference of the Tongues offers a series of startling reflections on fundamental questions of translation. It throws new light on familiar problems and opens up some radically different avenues of thought. It engages with value conflicts in translation and the social accountability of translators, and turns the old issue of equivalence inside out. Drawing on a wealth of contemporary and historical examples, the book teases out the translator's subject-position in translations, makes notions of intertextuality and irony serviceable for translation studies, tries to think translation without transformation, and uses a controversial sociological model to cast a cold eye on the entire world of translating.   This is a highly interdisciplinary study that remains aware of the importance of theoretical paradigms as it brings concepts from international law, social systems theory and even theology to bear on translation. Self-reference is a recurrent theme. The book invites us to read translations for what they can tell us about translating and about translators' own perceptions of their role. The argument throughout is for more self-reflexive translation studies. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Half Title Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgements 1. The End Words from above Vienna’s treaties Versions of authority Authentication in a minor key 2. Before the End Hostile dynasties Self-reference Metatranslation 3. Irony’s Echo Translation, quotation, demonstration Reported speech Echoic translation 4. Real Presence Uccello’s predella Transubstantiation Figuration Conversion 5. Connecting Systems System Form Training Observation History 6. The Thickness of Translation Studies Domestic representations The thick of it Understood? Bibliography Index