Poetry in Translation

As taught in: Spring 2006

English magnetic poetry laid over a French dictionary.

A collage of magnetic poetry and pages from a French dictionary. (Image by surrealmuse on flickr.com)

Instructors:

David Custer

Alevtina Asarina

MIT Course Number:

SP.261 / ESG.SP261

Level:

Undergraduate

Course Description

This seminar addresses the inherent challenges of translating poetry from different languages, cultures, and eras. Students do some translation of their own, though accommodations are made if a student lacks even a basic knowledge of any foreign language.