Joseph Brodsky and Collaborative Self-Translation

(Paperback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Joseph Brodsky and Collaborative Self-Translation is the first in-depth archival study to scrutinize the Russian-American poet Joseph Brodskys self-translation practices during the period of his exile to the USA in 1972-1996. The book draws on a large amount of previously unpublished archival material, including the poets manuscripts in Russian and English, draft translations, notes, comments in the margins and correspondence with his translators, editors and friends. Rulyovas approach to the study of self-translation is informed by 'social turn in translation studies. She focuses on the process of text production, the agents and institutions involved, translation practices and the role played by translators and publishers in the production of the text.

Reviews

Natasha Rulyovas richly detailed study, Joseph Brodsky and Collaborative Self-Translation ... presents a densely theorized account that will speak particularly to translation studies scholars. ... The best parts [are] when Rulyova tracks the collaborative translation work in specific cases, based on materials she unearthed in several archives. She is tireless as a researcher and the book is packed with lengthy quotations from letters Brodsky received from his translators, and letters he sent to them about their work. Elaborate charts show the multiple versions of poems on which several people worked. ... Later researchers will find an immense amount to work with. -- Stephanie Sandler, Ernest E. Monrad Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University, USA * Times Literary Supplement *
Rulyovas study is grounded in an understanding of Brodskys distinctive perspective, that of a poet who operated in between two languages and two literary cultures ... Her work presents a persuasive case for the study of self-translation, and for understanding the specific challenges Brodsky faced as a late bilingual. * Modern Language Review *
Now Ive read the MS, very much enjoying the detailed unpacking of the complex processes of collaborative translation that Natasha has produced. Here are some thoughts: "Combative collaboration" is an appropriate description for the working out of a process in which power was distributed unevenly between the poet, who was prepared to insist on his own linguistic choices in preference to the more idiomatic choices of his translators. It was, as Rulyova shows, a fluid process in which collaboration, between the poet and his translators, and sometimes between individual translators, might be understood rather differently by those engaged in it. Painstaking archival research allows Rulyova to track the evolution of Brodskys collaborative translations, in which elements of individual translators versions were merged with the poets own translations. The author, with an admirably light touch, guides us through the intercultural space in which Brodsky and his translators met, tussled, negotiated, and created. Rulyova succeeds in showing how collaborative translation allowed Brodsky to curate his own authentic English voice. * Katharine Hodgson, Professor in Russian, Exeter University, UK *
Unearthing much new material, Rulyova delves into the fascinating complexities of collaboration, producing surprising insights. * Alexandra Berlina, author of Brodsky Translating Brodsky (Bloomsbury, 2014) *

Author Bio

Natasha Rulyova is Lecturer in Russian at the University of Birmingham, UK, where she leads the Russian Studies programme and teaches Russian language, Russian literature and translation.