Literary translation - theoretical issues and lessons learned.

Subcommittee on Theoretical Issues of Translation. (Photo: Thanh Long)

In Vietnam today, translated literature accounts for a large proportion, is rich in genre and language, and holds an important position in literary life. Especially since the implementation of the Doi Moi (Renovation) policy in Vietnam, translated literature has experienced a "boom" in development. However, literary translation in Vietnam still faces many problems: there are no systematic, structured training programs on the theoretical models of literary translation, translation methods, and skills. Teaching of literary translation is mainly conducted in universities specializing in foreign languages ​​and is considered part of foreign language practice. Current literary translation relies heavily on personal experience, thus affecting the quality of translated works.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Vice Rector) delivers the opening remarks at the workshop. (Photo: Thanh Long)

In this context, the workshop organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of translation theory, translation training, and the relationship between translation and literature.

The workshop was divided into two subcommittees:Theoretical problems of translationandTranslation and the development of literary life.

Some specific topics discussed at the conference included: Translation in a knowledge society, Intercultural communication in literary translation, interpretation and adaptation - inter-symbolic transformation, Translation of Western literature in Saigon - Gia Dinh during the dawn of Vietnamese literature, Translation of 20th-century Chinese literature in Vietnam from a literary history perspective, Translation of minority literature into Vietnamese - history and present, Translation of Vietnamese poetry into French - theory and experimentation, Translation of Confucian classics in Nôm script in Vietnam - viewed from the perspective of documentation, interpretation and interpretation of classics, Poetics of translation in Vietnam…