Shields, Kathleen (2010) Léopold Sédar Senghor’s Translations and the Trajectory of a World Writer. Romance Studies, 28 (2). pp. 106-117. ISSN 0263-9904

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Abstract

Senghor’s seldom-studied translations (grouped with his juvenilia and published in OEuvre poétique in 1964) illustrate a process of identity formation whereby he can variously represent France, Senegal, Africa, and poetry, ultimately coming to occupy a position as world writer. My analysis of these texts takes into account recent articles on translation and African writers: what did Senghor translate, how did he translate, why did he translate, and why did he stop translating? Strategies of universalizing, flattening, and mystification reveal a process of acculturation rather than cultural crossfertilization. Central to my argument is the contrast between Senghor’s concept of métissage and the more current use of the term as Antoine Berman applies it to translation. One optimistic narrative is that as decolonization takes place, more and more translation, increased mutual cultural understanding, and hybridization also occur. Senghor’s translations are part of another process, where translation from African languages is abandoned in favour of a world language and its tributaries. They also illustrate features common to other world writers. Once completed, there is no further need for translation to take place.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Léopold Sédar Senghor; translation; métissage; acculturation; world literature; Antoine Berman;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures > French
Item ID:	2339
Depositing User:	Dr. Kathleen Shields
Date Deposited:	13 Jan 2011 13:00
Journal or Publication Title:	Romance Studies
Publisher:	Swansea University
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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