Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Series | Book | Chapter

206209

Questioning authority and authenticity

the creative translations of Josephine Balmer

Susan Bassnett

pp. 333-350

Abstract

Bassnett focusses on the work of poet and classical scholar, Josephine Balmer. Balmer's strategy as a translator is to engage first in close study of the texts themselves and the history of classical commentary, then to use her skills as a poet to create versions for contemporary readers. The chapter examines her work from the ground-breaking collection of ancient Greek women writers to her most recent translations. What is significant about Balmer's work is that she has used translating to expand her range as a poet, deliberately blurring the lines between "translation" and "original". In essays and prefaces, she develops her own theory of translation as rewriting. Balmer is one of the most original poet-translators of our time, and also one of the most self-aware.

Publication details

Published in:

Boase-Beier Jean, Fisher Lina, Furukawa Hiroko (2018) The Palgrave handbook of literary translation. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.

Pages: 333-350

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75753-7_17

Full citation:

Bassnett Susan (2018) „Questioning authority and authenticity: the creative translations of Josephine Balmer“, In: J. Boase-Beier, L. Fisher & H. Furukawa (eds.), The Palgrave handbook of literary translation, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 333–350.