CFP: Thinking about translation: philosophy on the way between languages

Call for papers

Conference “Thinking about Translation: Philosophy on the Way between Languages”

Translation has been an essential, but invisible, part of philosophy from its origins, or more precisely, from the passage from Greece to Rome. Throughout the history of Western thought, philosophy has constantly moved from one language to another, and that movement has steered thought, as well as the development of philosophical terminology and of languages themselves, in a decisive manner.

Furthermore, the translation of philosophical works, both in Spain in particular and in Europe in general, has currently reached a degree of quality and intensity as it probably had never had before. In fact, the writing and reading experiences of many thinkers include having at some point translated a philosophical work. Philosophy has always lived “between languages”, or on the way from one language to another; but in our world of globalization and intensified international contacts, it does so more than ever, and consequently translation, far from being a practice that is necessary to sustain philosophical discussion, is rather a part of the problem itself. A problem in which issues such as identity, alterity and difference, multiculturalism and globalization, or meaning, representation and linguistic expression, are at stake.

However, despite this constant presence, translation is rarely the explicit object of philosophical reflection, except for isolated remarks that can be found in some classics, from Schleiermacher to Nietzsche or Heidegger. Only in the 20th Century, inspired by authors such as Walter Benjamin, Jacques Derrida and George Steiner, a body of “translatological” thought, that deems translation to be an essential philosophical activity, has started to develop.

Within this trend, and focusing on the practice of translation itself and the subjectivity of the translator, the Conference “Thinking about Translation: Philosophy on the Way between Languages” issues a call for participation to those who, working in philosophy, have come face to face with translation, and those who, working in translation, have come face to face with philosophy and thought, with the aim of discussing, reflecting on and sharing the experience of philosophical translation.

The conference, organized by the Department of Humanities: Philosophy, Language and Literature of Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, will take place on the campus of this University, in Getafe, and at Círculo de Bellas Artes, in Madrid, from 24 until 26 September 2012.

Papers are accepted under three broad topics:

-          The history of philosophical translation: cases and problems.

-          The place of translation in philosophy.

-          The philosopher as translator.

Paper presentations will have a maximum duration of 20 minutes.

Paper proposals will include a title and an abstract, with a maximum extension of 30 lines or 2,500 character (without spaces). Proposals should be sent until 15 June 2012 to the following e-mail address: [email protected]

Of course, this being a conference on translation, no restrictions are imposed on the language of papers. However, for practical reasons, we suggest the use of Spanish, English, French, German or Italian.

Conference fees: €20

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