cfc translation workshops | annual cfc translation contest

CFC Translation Workshops

The CFC Translation Workshops are monthly informal gatherings of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates who are interested in the practice and theory of translating texts from the original Latin and Greek. Each meeting usually features one or two translators whose work or excerpt of work will be circulated at the meeting. The translation(s) are introduced by the translator(s), who may choose to discuss such issues as methodology, pragmatic difficulties or resources, or the issue of translation per se, and the floor will be open for workshop participants to ask questions, voice responses, and otherwise contribute to the dicussion. Other workshops will consist of roundtable discussions centered around a particular topic relevant to the task of translating, both theoretical and practical. We hope that these gatherings will provide a forum for translators who want feedback and for those who want to learn more and exchange ideas about Classical translation as a creative, meaningful enterprise.

Sixth Annual CFC Classical Translation Contest

CFC sponsors an annual Classical Translation Contest, open to both undergraduate and graduate students from all departments at the University engaged in the project of Classical translation. Prizes for translations are awarded each year in the Winter term to those translations selected by a panel of faculty judges. Faculty teaching courses involving translation of texts from Greek, Latin, and Modern Greek are encouraged to announce this contest to their classes in the Fall and Winter semesters. We especially encourage graduate students to inform their undergraduate language and writing courses about this contest and to enter the contest themselves. We also encourage creative writing students to participate.

This contest is intended to highlight the work of students who are interested in the process of translation as a creative, intellectually meaningful enterprise. We know there are people inspired by the beauty of modern and ancient Greek and Latin who wish to render the treasures of this literature more freely, perhaps, than classwork often involves. We welcome students in classics and other languages and literatures as well as creative writers and students from across the University interested in translating Greek and Latin texts into other media, such as music, the visual arts, screen arts, theater, dance, etc.

There are two categories of contestants: undergraduate students and graduate students. Prizes will be given for the first-, second-, and third-place entries of original translations from the languages of Ancient Greek, Modern Greek, or Latin of any era. A total of six winning authors will receive prizes and read their entries at the annual Classics awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 4 pm in the Michigan League (room TBA).

RULES FOR THE 2007 CFC TRANSLATION CONTEST:

  1. All work should be submitted anonymously, with an accompanying cover page indicating the translator's name and contact information (local address, email, and phone number). The cover page should also clearly state whether the entry is being submitted for the undergraduate or graduate level of the competition.
  2. Students should submit their entries by 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007 to Allison Friendly in the Classical Studies main office (Angell Hall 2160).
  3. All submissions will be judged anonymously by a panel consisting of faculty in Classical Studies, Comparative Literature, and English Language & Literature.
  4. Translations may be submitted in prose or verse, and the materials translated may be works in prose or verse (copies of the original work from which the translation is derived are not necessary).
  5. Maximum length of the submission is five double-spaced pages.
  6. Video and multi-media translations are acceptable.
  7. Students affiliated with any department are eligible.
  8. Prizes for each (undergraduate and graduate) level will be gift certificates to a local bookstore: first-place prizes of $150 each; second-place prizes of $100 each; and third-place prizes of $50 each.
  9. Winners will have an opportunity to read or present their original translations at at the annual Classics awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 4 pm in the Michigan League (room TBA).

If you have any questions about this year's CFC Annual Translation Contest, please contact Evelyn Adkins, CFC Graduate Student Coordinator.

Previous Translation Contest Award Winners:

2005 Undergraduate Translations
First Prize: Lucas O'Bryen (Catullus, "Carmen 101"
Second Prize: Chris Apostoleris (Kalokyres, "Burnt Butterfly")
Third Prize: John Pas ("Pervigilium Veneris")

2005 Graduate Translations
First Prize: Derek Mong ("Latin Hymns")
Second Prize: Michelle Regalado Deatrick (Iuvencus, "Hispani Presbyteri")
Third Prize: Cassandra Borges (Greek Anthology, "Myron's Cow")

The 2005 selection committee was composed of faculty members Benjamin Acosta-Hughes (Classics), Anne Carson (English, Classics, Comparative Literature), Yopie Prins (English and Comparative Literature), and Keith Taylor (Creative Writing). Many thanks to our panel of judges!