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2004 - literary anniversaries

Galway and Irish Writing

IRELAND IN THE WORLD: TRANSLATION, NATION, IDENTITY

The presentation will provide the theoretical framework, and report on the development and progress, of the TRASNA and TRASNABIO projects at Dublin City University.

TRASNA is the development of an online bibliography of Irish literature (in both Irish and English) in translation, and TRASNABIO is a database being compiled of translators of Irish literature into other languages.

The projects foreground the importance of translations and translators, focusing on the centrality of the translator and his/her work in constructing national identities while concurrently exposing the inherent trans-nationalism of such constructions. In discussing how the projects can be utilized as resource tools, the presentation shows how they prepare the ground for analyses of the function of Irish literature in ‘foreign’ cultural discourses and of the function of ‘foreign’ literature in Ireland. Michael Cronin will introduce the conceptual framework of the project, analyzing the notion of ‘microcosmopolitanism’ which underpins it, that is a concept of diversity within a geo-political entity which when examined in its locality retains traces of foreignness inherent in making that locality. Caoimhghin Ó Croidheáin will present the research, structure and findings of the TRASNA online bibliography, discussing the practical problematics and solutions of a project of such inter-lingual scope and breadth. Michelle Woods will present biographical and contextual information on a translator included in the TRASNABIO database, focusing on the mediative influences and consequences on and of the translator’s work.

TRASNA and TRASNABIO are the largest projects of their kind and bring into view the influences of a ‘small’ nation on other cultures. The presentation suggests this as a possible paradigm for further study and underlines the counterfeit motives behind the marginalization of the translator, when they have been the instigators of national cultural discourses via trans-national influences. The rehabilitation of the translator, analyzing their role in localizing diversity, we suggest may allow a reconsideration of national identity discourse.

IASIL 2004 is hosted by The National University of Ireland, Galway