NDSS Academy

Literature in Translation (B.A English)

Indian and world literature read in English translation, with basics of translation studies.

6 MonthsDuration 5Chapters24Topics
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Syllabus · पाठ्यक्रम

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01Unit 1: Translation Studies 6 topics
  1. Definition and need of translation
  2. Jakobson: intralingual, interlingual and intersemiotic translation
  3. Dryden: metaphrase, paraphrase and imitation
  4. Nida: formal and dynamic equivalence
  5. Venuti: domestication and foreignization
  6. Transcreation and problems of cultural words
02Unit 2: Indian Poetry in Translation 4 topics
  1. Kalidasa and classical Sanskrit in English translation
  2. Tagore: Gitanjali (Song Offerings)
  3. Kabir and Bhakti poetry in translation
  4. Modern Hindi and Urdu poems in translation
03Unit 3: Indian Fiction in Translation 5 topics
  1. Premchand: The Shroud (Kafan)
  2. Saadat Hasan Manto: Toba Tek Singh
  3. Ismat Chughtai: The Quilt (Lihaaf)
  4. Mahasweta Devi: Draupadi (tr. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak)
  5. U.R. Ananthamurthy: Samskara (tr. A.K. Ramanujan)
04Unit 4: Indian Drama in Translation 4 topics
  1. Girish Karnad: Hayavadana
  2. Vijay Tendulkar: Silence! The Court is in Session
  3. Themes of identity, gender and society
  4. Stagecraft and folk forms
05Unit 5: World Literature in Translation 5 topics
  1. Leo Tolstoy: How Much Land Does a Man Need?
  2. Anton Chekhov: Misery (The Lament)
  3. Franz Kafka: The Metamorphosis
  4. Henrik Ibsen: A Doll's House
  5. Gabriel Garcia Marquez and magic realism (introduction)

About

You will be able to

  • Explain the basic concepts of translation: equivalence, types of translation and the role of the translator
  • Read and interpret Indian literature translated from Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Kannada and Marathi
  • Discuss major European and Latin American works read in English translation
  • Compare themes such as caste, gender, Partition and alienation across languages
  • Evaluate the problems of translating culture-specific words, idioms and dialect
  • Write critical answers and short comparative notes on translated texts

Who it is for

  • B.A English students of Semester 6 under UP state universities (NEP 2020)
  • Students interested in comparative literature, translation work or UGC-NET English

What you need

  • Completed B.A English Semesters 1-5
  • Reading knowledge of English and one Indian language is helpful

Questions

Which texts are prescribed?

The texts follow the UP NEP 2020 common minimum syllabus; colleges may choose different stories or plays. The centre follows the student's own university syllabus (MGKVP, VBSPU, Lucknow University or any other) where it differs from this outline.

Do I need to know Hindi or another language?

No, all texts are read in English translation, but knowing the source language helps in discussing translation problems.

How are classes taught?

Each text is read with summary, character study, themes and important passages, followed by MCQ and long-answer practice.

Is translation theory asked in the exam?

Yes, short questions on Jakobson, Nida, Venuti and types of translation are common.

Download the syllabus (PDF)

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