Project description DEENESFRITPL The political dimensions of Russian literary translation Translation helps prevent cultural and national isolation across nations. However, translation can be politicised and conditioned by ideological prejudices or state influence. This ‘dark side’ of translation can be used by subaltern nations to contend cultural equality with larger neighbours. The EU-funded RUSTRANS project will investigate how persons and governments utilise translation in this sense by translating their own literature into global languages such as English. In particular, it will research the impact of Russian literature on other European cultures, studying translation as a vehicle of self-promotion and cultural unification for emergent nation-states, and will also compare this type of translation with new translation strategies used in modern Russia. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective What is the dark side of translation? Translation is valued, taught, and often funded as a deterrent to monolingual nationalism and cultural parochialism. Yet the praxis of translation is highly politicized, often subverted by ideological prejudice or state interference. Translators have a personal agenda, as do editors, publishers, and other agents. Every translation is an act of cultural appropriation. This may not be detrimental to the culture of origin; even inaccurate translations can confer prestige on the former. The ‘dark side’ of translation – its immanent politics – often allows subaltern nations to assert cultural parity with larger neighbours.RusTRANS investigates how individuals, and governments, exploit this ‘dark side’ to reap cultural capital by translating their own literature into global languages (and the reverse). The PI and postdoctoral research assistant will research four case studies about translators of Russian literature, and their networks, in Anglophone contexts (Ireland, the UK, and the USA). Three doctoral students will study the transmission of Russian literature in other European cultures. We will also commission new translations of contemporary Russian writing in order to observe the dynamics of translator (and publisher) networks today.RusTRANS offers two key innovations. First, we explore an obscure, paradoxical, yet crucial function of translation: as a means of self-promotion and cultural consolidation for emergent nation-states. By focussing on literary translation, and on the transmission of a single language (Russian), we create a coherent paradigm for historians of the cultural reception of national literatures in translation. Second, our diachronic approach to translation praxis allows us to contrast past translation networks and strategies with cultural agents in the ever-more volatile context of modern Russia, as we document the political pressures placed on contemporary authors, translators, and publishers. Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2018-STG - ERC Starting Grant Call for proposal ERC-2018-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Coordinator THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER Net EU contribution € 1 346 896,00 Address The queen's drive northcote house EX4 4QJ Exeter GB See on map Region South West (England) Devon Devon CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER GB Net EU contribution € 1 346 896,00 Address The queen's drive northcote house EX4 4QJ Exeter See on map Region South West (England) Devon Devon CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
