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Translation Imperatives

African Literature and the Labour of Translators

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2022

Ruth Bush
Affiliation:
University of Bristol

Summary

This Element explores the politics of literary translation via case studies from the Heinemann African Writers Series and the work of twenty-first-century literary translators in Cameroon. It intervenes in debates concerning multilingualism, race and decolonization, as well as methodological discussion in African literary studies, world literature, comparative literature and translation studies. The task of translating African literary texts has developed according to political and socio-economic contexts. It has contributed to the consecration of a canon of African classics and fuelled polemics around African languages. Yet retranslation remains rare and early translations are frequently criticised. This Element's primary focus on the labour rather than craft or art of translation emphasises the material basis that underpins who gets to translate and how that embodied labour occurs within the process of book production and reception. The arguments draw on close readings, fresh archival material, interviews, and co-production and observation of literary translation workshops.
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Translation Imperatives
  • Ruth Bush, University of Bristol
  • Online ISBN: 9781108766449
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Translation Imperatives
  • Ruth Bush, University of Bristol
  • Online ISBN: 9781108766449
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Translation Imperatives
  • Ruth Bush, University of Bristol
  • Online ISBN: 9781108766449
Available formats
×