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A Glimpse from the Chambord Staircase at Translation’s Role in Comparative Literature

Abstract

While the importance of the translation process remains recognized as a worthwhile activity in both Literary/Cultural Studies and in fiction, it is frequently overlooked in larger discussions of Canadian literature, including comparative studies. Such activities aim to blur the lines between Us and Them, between Other and Self, or between the Rest of Canada (the Roc) and Quebec, in other words, to align or combine the frequently cited legendary two staircases of Château de Chambord. However, in the process, they have obscured other boundaries, such as those between Comparative Literature and Translation. Studies in Comparative Canadian Literature, for example, frequently overlook, or at least downplay, the importance of translation, neglecting to consider, for example, the translation strategy used and the selection of translated works available for comparison.Cette étude se veut une considération de la place accordée à la traduction dans les analyses qui relèvent de la littérature canadienne comparée. Si, dans le contexte canadien, la littérature comparée vise à rapprocher les « deux solitudes » et à effacer la distinction entre l’Autre et Soi, ou, pour, ainsi dire, à aligner les deux escaliers, cités souvent en tant qu’exemple, du Château de Chambord, ne le fait-elle pas en négligeant l’importance de la traduction dans une telle entreprise? Nous proposons qu’il importe de prendre en considération non seulement la qualité de la traduction ainsi que la stratégie traductrice employée, mais aussi la disponibilité des traductions

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