Over the coming months we will use this blog to capture a range of approaches to the topic of cultural translation.
What is cultural translation?
A good question. In the most general of terms, cultural translation might be seen as the process through which culture moves from one particular place, language or time to another, whether that means a literal translation (from one language to another) or a more metaphorical transposition (say, across national borders). But as Maitland (2017) notes, the definition is far from settled. For our working definition, go here.
Part of the work this blog will undertake is exploring how the concept is useful in Media and Cultural research, what sort of thinking can be done when we attend to cultural translation, and what questions are raised by it.
The blog will aim to:
1. provide an up-to-date library of work that looks at issues of cultural translation by BCU scholars.
2. catalogue the seminar series as it unfolds, with perspectives and comments posted week by week.
3. invite thinkers from around the world to comment on how cultural translation impacts their work.
4. allow the public to engage with the BCMCR seminar series and involve them in the wider debates we’re having here.
To keep this short, we’ll just say that we welcome comments, thoughts and engagement from academics, arts practitioners and members of the public alike. We’re looking forward to exploring cultural translation over the course of this project. Watch this space!
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Maitland, Sarah. What is cultural translation?. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2017.