Introduction to Comparative Literature

At first glance, translation may seem straightforward—merely transferring words from one language to another. Yet, beneath this surface simplicity lies a labyrinth of challenges: How do we translate idioms unique to one language, or convey rhythm and rhyme, or handle culturally specific humor and slang? When we read a work in translation, are we truly engaging with any “original,” or are we encountering something entirely different?

This course engages these complex questions, using Hebrew Literature and its translations into English as our primary lens. We'll explore the nature of translation by following the same Hebrew text in different English forms, by reading translators' reflections, by unpacking theoretical texts on translation, by analyzing works by Palestinian writers that navigate the spaces between languages and cultures, and through hands-on experiences with “translation” between different registers of English.

Translation, many practitioners claim, is the most rigorous form of reading. By the end of this course, then, you will not only gain insight into the complexities of translation and broaden your knowledge of Modern Hebrew and Israeli literature but will also—perhaps mostly—sharpen your analytical skills applicable far beyond the material of this specific course. Join me in this transnational, translinguistic, and transcultural journey!