Shakespeare translation in France and Germany in the 1950s: a comparison

Zach, Matthias 2008. Shakespeare translation in France and Germany in the 1950s: a comparison. New Readings 9 , pp. 1-7. 10.18573/newreadings.62

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Abstract

The article investigates the role of Shakespeare translation for post-war cultural development in France and the two Germanys in the 1950s. It shows a marked contrast between the French and the German case, which is interpreted in terms of the respective Shakespearian traditions in the two cultures. Throughout the 1950s, German Shakespeare translation continues to be enmeshed in the past: there are only individual attempts at new Shakespeare translations, whereas, both in terms of publications and of critical reception, the Schlegel-Tieck version continues to dominate. This situation seems to attest to an inability, or an unwillingness, to break with the tradition and, in particular, to question the close relationship between German nationalism and Shakespeare reception that had obtained in the past. Hence, Shakespeare translation in 1950s’ Germany appears as a reinforcement of a traditional German identity, rather than as an active cultural renewal. Conversely, through novel translations, 1950s’ France sees a renewed dialogue with the English Bard. Building on an enhanced translation activity in the first half of the 20th century, Shakespeare translation represents a seat of cultural dynamism and renewal. There are collaborative translation projects (such as the edition in the Club français du livre) and, not least because of the way in which young creative writers are involved in these enterprises, Shakespeare translation in the 1950s constitutes a motor for French cultural development in general.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Modern Languages
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D839 Post-war History, 1945 on D History General and Old World > DC France D History General and Old World > DD Germany P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN0441 Literary History P Language and Literature > PQ Romance literatures P Language and Literature > PR English literature P Language and Literature > PT Germanic literature
Publisher:	Cardiff University Press
ISSN:	1359-7485
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	17 January 2020
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2023 12:33
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/128825

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