A Translation Seminar with Elizabeth Harris

One of the most difficult aspects of writing fiction that a creative writing student must tackle is learning how to handle point of view. Likewise, the translator must wrestle with point of view and narrative distance in a work of fiction. But how malleable is point of view in a translation—is it open to interpretation? This talk will consider the especially tricky point of view in Antonio Tabucchi’s Italian novel, Tristano muore, and how this influenced the translator’s choices concerning voice and narrative distance in her English translation.

Elizabeth Harris translates contemporary Italian fiction, with work by Domenico Starnone, Aldo Nove, Diego Marani, and others appearing in journals and in anthologies. Her translated books include Mario Rigoni Stern's Giacomo's Seasons (Autumn Hill Books), Giulio Mozzi's This Is the Garden (Open Letter Books), and Antonio Tabucchi's Tristano Dies (Archipelago Books), for which she received a 2013 PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grant. She teaches creative writing at the University of North Dakota.

Harris will also read from her translation of Antonio Tabucchi’s Tristano Dies at 5 pm on Wednesday, March 2nd at the College Arts and Humanities Institute, 1211 E. Atwater

Professor Harris’ talk is open to the IU community and the general public.

Coffee, tea, and cookies will be served.