We are very glad to give notice of the Call for Applications for the Graduate Seminar Translation: Why Is It a Political Question? Perspectives In Philosophy and Translation Theory, which will take place ate the Venice International University (Isola di San Servolo, Venice), from February 26 to March 1, 2024.

Below you can find the text of the call. You can download the complete program of the Seminar at this link.

For further information, please visit the web page of the event.

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February 26 – March 1, 2024

Call for Applications: July 20 – October 25, 2023 via the VIU website

This Graduate Seminar will be led by:
– University of Padova, Italy
– Tel Aviv University, Israel
– Waseda University, Japan
– KU Leuven, Belgium

Translation, as a practice or conceptual tool, is indispensable for each human activity. It is not just a technical problem to be solved by transferring a specific content from a linguistic system to a different one. Moreover, translation has an aesthetical, epistemological, religious, and strong political dimension. This Graduate Seminar will focus on the latter.

Translation serves as a bridge between languages and cultures. But it is also a vehicle to export or import texts conveying ideological messages, a powerful weapon for political projects, and works as a filter for identity building. Furthermore, translation is a crucial operator for both consolidating or questioning traditions. That is why inquiring about multiculturalism, world literature, or global processes without facing translation processes means avoiding an essential dimension of the subject.

By thematizing what is political in translation, we, on the one hand, deal with the most essential character of translation itself, while, on the other hand, we frame translation as a phenomenon where different political dynamics come to the fore. In this sense, translation is the exceptional terrain where processes of assimilation, differentiation, foreignization, de- and re-territorialization show their political character.

Faculty

Learning outcomes
Master, PhD students and junior researchers will learn to work in a transnational context, across different disciplines, languages, and cultures. Thanks to talks and debates at round tables students will face the main theses of translation theory developing logical-argumentative and historical competencies. Dealing with the crucial texts of translation theory during the reading sessions, participants will also develop analytical and hermeneutical skills. Workshops with invited experienced translators will foster participants to compare different translation strategies and styles, possibly helping them to find their own. As a result, they will become confident with the different methodologies of the disciplines and traditions involved. Furthermore, students will become aware of the pervasiveness of translation practices in their field of study. The Seminar will change their approach to texts and to their own language. They will discover the political dimension of translation practices that are never neutral or transparent communication tools. Finally, participants will learn about the political effects of their own possible translation activities.

Who can apply?
This Graduate Seminar is offered to advanced Master, early PhD students and junior researchers in Philosophy, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Open to candidates from all the VIU Member Institutions; applications from excellent candidates from non-member institutions will be also considered and evaluated.

Fees & grant support
Students from the VIU member institutions will pay no participation fees. Grant support is also available to support, partially or fully, the costs of international travel and accommodation.
Excellent candidates from non-member institutions will be also considered and evaluated, although these candidates will pay fees and are not eligible for financial support (further information available in the Brochure). VIU Alumni are eligible for a reduced fee.

Applicants must submit the (1) application form, (2) a letter of motivation – which should include a short bio and a brief description of the candidate’s research project (max. 4000 characters), and (3) a curriculum vitae.

For further information please download the brochure and the program (available soon) or write to: summerschools@univiu.org