The minor consists of a minimum of 5 full courses (or the equivalent).
Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the minor.
Literary translation is an essential human activity, necessary and central to almost every world culture. It is a complex activity that both invites and defies the grasp of many disciplines: computer science, linguistics, philosophy, politics, economics, sociology, and cultural history, to name but a few. Oberlin students minoring in literary translation will study the history and theory of literary translation, analyze specific cases and practical problems, and develop their own extended translation projects. As they gain in-depth knowledge of foreign languages, as well as of the many contexts that shape the production of literature in those languages, students will learn to negotiate different perspectives while remaining mindful of cultural, social, political, and linguistic implications in both the original languages and in English.
The minor in literary translation draws on Oberlin’s strengths in many areas and is thus inherently interdisciplinary, as befits our liberal arts philosophy. Students pursuing this minor will become familiar with the history of literary translation, with key theoretical texts and approaches in Translation Studies, and develop and complete their own projects in literary translation in the language(s) of their interest. Students will also acquire advanced knowledge of a foreign language and learn to understand the literary production of that language within its particular cultural, historical, political, and linguistic contexts. As a result, students will develop their own informed and theory-based approach to translating works from one or more literary genres (such as poetry, prose, drama) and will complete a literary translation project as their capstone for the minor.
Visit the Literary Translation webpage for more information.
Students planning to declare the literary translation minor should consult with their advisor or a member of the minor advisory group and complete the Interdivisional or Arts & Sciences Minor form. The form requires the signature of one of the minor co-chairs.
Co-Chairs
Stiliana Milkova (Comparative Literature, Italian)
Kirk Ormand (Classics)
See the full list of Literary Translation Minor Advisory Group Members
