The University of Iowa

Reading and Re-Translation - an international colloquium

Friday, March 29, 2019
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Saturday, March 30, 2019
University Capitol Centre , International Commons (Room 1117)
200 South Capitol Street, Iowa City, IA 52240

Reading and Re-translation" is an international and interdisciplinary colloquium dedicated to the theorization and practice of reading. With funding from an International Programs Major Projects Award, organizers and speakers from around the globe will focus on the current state of research on reading and re-translation and will generate scholarly and creative exchanges between colleagues in diverse fields in the arts, sciences, literatures, and humanities.

The conference opens with a special edition of WorldCanvass: What's in a Word? The Translator's Challenge on March 28, followed by two days (March 29-30) of panel discussions and readings.

Is reading a quaint and antiquated technique, obsolescent in the age of Big Data? Conference participants will reenergize research in this field, asking questions such as: What is the role of reading in shaping literary, and cultural signifying processes? How can we bring reading into focus as the hidden site where social and symbolic power is enforced? How do re-translations shape transnational, literary and cultural relations? What arts and humanities perspectives need to be reasserted in a digitized world where algorithms increasingly read us? The organizers aim to foster incisive and inclusive thinking about these issues—but also demonstrate the power and indispensability of strong, imaginative, and critical reading in today’s complex world.

Building on and strengthening the University of Iowa’s position at the forefront of the fields of literary and translation studies through innovative and creative scholarship, "Reading and Re-translation" is sure to be an exciting conference that will spark spirited discussion between faculty and students from many disciplines.

All events are free and open to the public. For a full schedule of conference events and people involved in the forum, visit: https://international.uiowa.edu/reading-and-re-translation-colloquium.

Funding for this Major Project was provided by the Stanley-University of Iowa Foundation Support Organization.int

This event is hosted by the UI Program in Comparative Literature and the MFA Program in Literary Translation, with support from UI International Programs; the Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; the Department of Classics; the Department of English; the Department of Religious Studies; the Department of German; the Department of French and Italian, and the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Sarolta Petersen in advance at 319-335-3862 or sarolta-petersen@uiowa.edu.