Apprenticeships in the Trace: A Hands-On Intro to Literary Translation

Translation is a creative practice closely aligned with the poetic process. The Caribbean thinker Édouard Glissant once called it an "apprenticeship in the trace," a designation that underscores how translation seeks out what poetry also seeks, just as it gives us the chance to explore and admire what makes poetry work. In this dual spirit, our workshop will introduce participants to the challenging but joyful work of literary translation. We will begin by examining a brief but compelling moment from the poetry of Charles Baudelaire. We will consider how this moment has inspired strikingly different English-language translations, varied responses to the original that all help to reveal the world of the poem differently. Participants will then undertake guided translation exercises to craft their own translation of the Baudelaire. We will conclude by sharing these new poems aloud, appreciating the unique merits of each translator’s approach. By the end of the session, participants will have a richer understanding of translation as a generative process, along with draft translations of their own and creative strategies for approaching and appreciating poetry across languages. Clear glosses and notes will be provided to the original poem, and participants do not need any prior knowledge of French (again, we are working with a small excerpt that we will be able to fully flesh out). If time permits, we will pair the selection from Baudelaire with another very short piece, drawing either from the Lebanese poet Georges Schéhadé, or from the Martinican Creole poet Monchoachi.