ICLS1002 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Comparative Literature, Translation Studies, Cultural Imperialism
7 Aug 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
ICLS1002
Tutorial week 2 – Comparative Literature?
Presentation on the readings (Basnett, Damrosch and Saussy)
What is comparative literature?
Promotes the study of intercultural relations etc. - interactions between literature and other
forms of human interaction - definition f Comparison studies from Wesley College Department
How is it studied?
The rule of three, a third language will point to another thing that two languages alone may
leave out
Issues:
There is a growth in translation in comparison which leads to hegemony or lack of plurivocality and
diversity
Cultural imperialism - what voices people think should/shouldn't be heard
The 'rule of three' with languages and the reality of comparatist’s language knowledge
Definition of literature universally. - use of categories, non-fiction v. fiction
The definition of comparative literature is consistently evolving.
Comparative literature's failure to live up to its name
Should look upon translation studies as a principle discipline with translation studies as a subsidiary
area
On Damrosch’s article:
'The spectre of amateurism haunts comparative literature' - need for assumed knowledge and
formalist approaches are wanted.
Is the theory inadequate to talk about other traditions of text?
-"Post-colonial and global literature studies today - focusing on issues of transmission and
adaptation within a linguistic network …"
Document Summary
Presentation on the readings (basnett, damrosch and saussy) Interactions between literature and other forms of human interaction - definition f comparison studies from wesley college department. The rule of three, a third language will point to another thing that two languages alone may leave out. There is a growth in translation in comparison which leads to hegemony or lack of plurivocality and diversity. Cultural imperialism - what voices people think should/shouldn"t be heard. The "rule of three" with languages and the reality of comparatist(cid:495)s language knowledge. The definition of comparative literature is consistently evolving. Comparative literature"s failure to live up to its name. Should look upon translation studies as a principle discipline with translation studies as a subsidiary area. "the spectre of amateurism haunts comparative literature" - need for assumed knowledge and formalist approaches are wanted. "post-colonial and global literature studies today - focusing on issues of transmission and adaptation within a linguistic network "
