Translation Studies

Event Synopsis

‘Whose Voice is it Anyway? Reflecting on emotions in a translation and interpreting context’ brought together scholars and interpreters to discuss the translation of trauma and emotions.

On March 23rd 2018, a group of around 70 professionals, academics, students and laypeople attended the third in a series of events titled “Whose Voice is it Anyway?” at the University of Edinburgh, to discuss the translation of trauma and emotions. The event was sponsored by the University of Edinburgh, the European Commission and the Institut Français.

Following the success of past events in the Whose Voice is it Anyway series, LLC hosted an evening dedicated to the translation of emotions. The event reflected on how translation mediates emotions in different contexts, with a particular focus on the role of translators and translation when conveying trauma.

This third event brought together translation scholars and a writer in conversation with her translator, to explore the meaning of voice in originals and translations, and the way strong emotions are negotiated in translation.

Speakers included Anneleen Spiessens (University of Ghent) on testimonies delivered by perpetrators of mass political violence, Charlotte Bosseaux on Gender-Based Violence and documentaries (University of Edinburgh) and Sharon Deane-Cox on Holocaust testimonies (University of Strathclyde). Their talks were followed by a round table chaired by Kari Dickson (translator and tutor, University of Edinburgh).

LLC were pleased to welcome Indian writer and activist Meena Kandasamy and her French translator, Carine Chichereau to discuss emotions and trauma in their writing and translation practices.

The event was organised by the University of Edinburgh in partnership with the European Commission and the French Institute.