A Poetry Translation Taster with Nell Regan

Course Summary

Over two engaging, interactive sessions participants will be introduced to the challenges and joys of translating poetry through reading a range of translations, doing practical translation exercises and exploring their own ideas for a translation project (optional).  We’ll consider what is lost and found in translation;  translation as a collaborative project and the influence of translations on English and Irish language poetry. We’ll look at a variety of poems in translation (often the same poem translated by different poets) and have a go at some short translation exercises. Finally we’ll look at ways participants might start/ develop their own projects.

This course is suitable for anyone interested in reading translated poetry with greater insight as well as those embarking on or interested in developing their own translation project. Suitable for any level,  especially welcome are those with a working knowledge of languages other than English.

Course Outline

Translating poetry has been described as an act of love and patience. Over these two interactive sessions participants will be introduced to wide range of translations ranging from Irish and Japanese 9th Century poems to those of more contemporary poets.

Over the course of each session participants will undertake short translation exercises to give them a taste of/ further experience of the process.

We’ll look at how the translator’s own style and approach informs the new poem and the many decisions made along the way.

Nell Regan will talk about translating from a language she doesn’t know ( Japanese ) as well as a language she does ( Irish).

We’ll look at how translation is a great way to develop your practice and move beyond your own preoccupations. We’ll also explore practical ways that participants might go about finding or developing their own translation project.

Course Outcomes

Participants will leave with

• A range of approaches to poetry translation
• A deeper understanding of the process of translation.
• A set of drafts of translations which they can then develop.
• A greater confidence to start or develop their own translation project.
• A community within which to discuss poetry translation issues and challenges.

Nell Regan is a poet, non-fiction writer and translator. Among her five books is A Gap in the Clouds: A New Translation of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu with James Hadley ( Dedalus Press) while forthcoming from Cló Iar Connacht are her co-translations of Michéal MacLiammóir’s Irish language poetry with Frank Sewell. She has been a Fellow at the International Writing Programme, Iowa and a recipient of awards from the Patrick and Katherine Kavanagh Trust and the Arts Council. See also www.nellregan.com

Booked out? To be added to the waiting list for this course, please email info@irishwriterscentre.ie.