Translating Poetry

How do you translate a poem without losing its music, imagery, and emotional force?

Poetry brings together sound, rhythm, form, and meaning in a particularly concentrated way. For the translator, every choice matters, as even the smallest shift can transform the reader’s experience of the poem.

In this workshop, participants will explore the art and craft of translating poetry through the comparative study of poems and their English translations. Together, we will examine how translators approach questions of fidelity to meaning while working to recreate tone, cadence, imagery, and emotional resonance in another language.

Through close reading and discussion, participants will reflect on poetic voice, form, and the creative possibilities, as well as the inevitable tensions, involved in translating verse.

Texts will include poems by Pierre de Ronsard and Charles Baudelaire, among others. The poems will be studied alongside multiple English translations.

This workshop is open to participants of all levels of French. A solid command of English is essential, as discussion will focus on translation choices and the crafting of literary voice in English.

Each session is conducted in English and French, and combines close reading, comparative analysis, and open discussion. No prior translation experience is required.

Kindly note: As space is limited and the program requires advance preparation, we are unable to offer refunds once registration is confirmed. We appreciate your understanding.

Stéphanie Ravillon is an Associate Teaching Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Brown University. She graduated from the University of Burgundy, France, with a Ph.D. in Postcolonial Studies. Her current teaching and research interests include: contemporary French language, culture and society; second language acquisition; teaching with technology; teacher training; and translation. She has presented at conferences on translation and second language acquisition, on subtitling/dubbing and on community-based translation projects. She has also translated legal documents related to environmental and business law. She is currently working on a book project on translation pedagogy.

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