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

Author Biography

Susan Bassnett is Professor of Comparative Literary Studies and Head of the Centre for British and Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Warwick.