ITALIAN LITERATURE

TRANSLATING AND BETRAYING: TRANSLATION IN ITALIAN LITERATURE FROM THE ORIGINS TO THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD

This course is one of the core subjects of the Bachelor's Degree in Languages, Cultures and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa. It aims to provide students with the fundamental tools for textual analysis and interpretation, as well as a solid knowledge of Italian literature from the thirteenth to the twentieth century.

Learning objectives:

To understand the fundamental role of translation in the development of linguistic and literary awareness.
To understand how translation changes according to the cultural context in which it is carried out, the source and target languages involved, and the textual forms and literary genres to which it is applied.

1. Knowledge and Understanding
Identify the intellectual processes underlying the practice of translation.

2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
For students enrolled in language programmes, this knowledge provides practical skills that can be applied daily in the study and use of the target language.

3. Making Judgements
Develop the ability to analyse literary texts and related issues critically and independently.

4. Communication Skills
Communicate knowledge and reflections clearly and appropriately, using accurate and discipline-specific terminology.

5. Learning Skills
Critically evaluate and independently engage with primary texts and scholarly literature, developing the ability to interpret and synthesise them in a personal and informed manner.

A good knowledge of Italian language; standard abilities to understand texts written in Italian; basic knowledge of Italian literature.

Analysis of Translation Practices in Italian Literature, structured around the following thematic units:

1) Language as a Medium: The Role of Volgarizzamenti (Vernacular Translations)
2) Vernacular Translation and Translation Practices in the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Centuries
3) The Sixteenth Century: The Golden Age of Vernacular Translation
4) From the Baroque to Neoclassicism: Hermeneutic Approaches and Ideological Perspectives
5) Romanticism and Translation
6) The Twentieth Century

A course reader containing the selected texts, together with the relevant bibliography, will be made available on the course Moodle page, where additional topic-specific bibliographical references will also be provided.

Oral exam, which aims at testing students’ knowledge of the syllabus. Students will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of the themes and texts analysed in class, to detect connections between literature and contemporary historical and cultural contexts, and to analyse and comment literary texts in an accurate way. Students will be evaluated also according to their ability to employ a proper vocabulary.
Further details on the assessment criteria can be found in the following sections.

oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

A final mark between 18 and 22 will be given to students who will demonstrate a generic but acceptable knowledge of the contents of the course, a basic ability to understand and analyse literary texts, even if they make some mistakes, and basic but not always correct language skills.
A final mark between 23 and 26 will be obtained by students who will demonstrate a good knowledge of the contents of the course, an effective ability to understand and analyse literary texts, despite some slight inaccuracies, and suitable language skills, resorting adequately to the technical vocabulary of literary criticism.
A final mark between 27 and 30 will be awarded to students who will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the contents of the course, a remarkable ability to understand and analyse literary texts, and outstanding language skills, resorting to the technical vocabulary of literary criticism with proficiency. When all these parameters are excellent students get 30 cum laude.
Students will not pass the final exam if they show poor knowledge of the contents of the course, scarce ability to understand and analyse literary text, and inadequate language skills.

Lectures with active student participation. Didactic materials, which students must study for the final exam, will be made available on the e-learning platform (Moodle).