Translation Studies

In Translation Studies Susan Bassnett tackles the crucial problems of translation and offers a history of translation theory, beginning with the ancient Romans and encompassing key twentieth-century structuralist work. She then explores specific problems of literary translation through a close, practical analysis of texts, and concludes with extensive suggestions for further reading. Twenty years after first publication, this updated edition is still essential reading for newcomers to this ever-growing field.

Table of Contents

Contents General Editor's Preface Preface to the revised edition Acknowledgements Introduction: 1. Central Issues: Language and culture; Types of translation; Decoding and recoding; Problems of equivalence; Loss and gain; Untranslatability; Science or 'secondary activity'? 2. History of Translation Theory: Problems of 'period study'; The Romans' Bible translation; Education and the vernacular; Early theorists; The Renaissance; The seventeenth century; The eighteenth century; Romanticism; Post-Romanticism; The Victorians; Archaizing; The Twentieth century. 3. Specific Problems of Literary Translation: Structures; Poetry and translation; Translating Prose; Translating dramatic texts. Conclusion Notes Select Biliography Appendix: The original text of The Seafarer Index

Reviews

'Translation Studies provides an admirably informative introduction to a fascinating but complex subject.' - The Observer

From The Publisher:

Susan Bassnett tackles the crucial problems of translation and offers a history of translation theory, beginning with the ancient Romans and encompassing key twentieth-century structuralist work.