Translating Travel Writing in Europe, 1750-1850

13th-14th November 2009, Universite Paris 13

Convenors: Dr. Susan Pickford (Centre de Recherche Interculturelles sur les Domaines Anglophones et Francophones, Universite Paris 13), Dr. Alison E. Martin (Martin-Luther-Universite Halle-Wittenberg)

Travel and translation are two sides of the same coin. Travel writing translates its readers to new climes; translation makes a text travel in time and space. We invite contributions which focus on the relationship between translation and non-fictional travel writing – both towards the “scientific” and “literary” ends of the spectrum – for the period 1750-1850, which saw great changes both in the practice of travel and travel writing and in the quantity and type of books translated. We welcome papers taking theoretical and historical approaches, as well as case studies. We particularly welcome contributions with a focus on book history.

Suitable topics might include, but are not restricted to:

* Fidelity vs. creativity and self-expression in the translation of travel accounts* Gender and the ‘visibility’ of women as translators of travel writing* Professional vs. amateur translators * “Scientific” vs. “literary” models of translation in travel accounts * Translation and anthologisation of travel accounts * Translators as travellers * Translating the Grand Tour * Domestication/foreignisation of travel accounts through translation

It is anticipated that the main focus will be on English, French, Dutch and German but contributions on other European language areas will also be considered.

Guest speakers include Norbert Bachleitner (Universite Wien) and Daniel Roche (College de France).

Please send a 300-word abstract in English or French for a 20-minute paper as an email attachment in WORD or RTF by Monday 2nd March, 2009, to: Dr. Alison E. Martin ( alison.martin@anglistik.uni-halle.deThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Dr. Susan Pickford ( susan.pickford@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).