University Calendar
Migrating Words: A Public Lecture by Writer Amara Lakhous on Cultural and Literary Translation
Monday, April 13th, 2015 6:30-8:30pm
UN Hall 7th Floor Conference Center
RSVP Required here
Refreshments will be served.
The panel includes:
Amara Lakhous (Writer, Translator, Journalist)
Ann Goldstein (Translator and Editor at The New Yorker)
Michael Reynolds (Translator and Editor in Chief, Europa Editions)
Introduced and moderated by Teresa Fiore (Inserra Chair)
Acclaimed Italian-Algerian writer Amara Lakhous' three books - Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio (2006), Divorce Islam Style(2010) and Dispute Over a Very Italian Piglet (2013) - are the subject of a conversation about migration and translation revolving around the relationship between physical and geographical relocation on the one hand, and writing as a trans-location of human experiences on the other. Structured as a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the genesis and circulation of his books over the past decade, the exchange embraces the views of Lakhous' translator (Ann Goldstein) and publisher (Michael Reynolds) as actors in a synergy-fueled movie: books themselves migrate thanks to the shared work of people committed to migrating words. The program also includes a brief close analysis of select passages in Lakhous' novels that illustrate his unique linguistic trans-migration by which he "Arabicizes" Italian language (and its dialects). This practice will engage us in the questions: How can a trans-migration of this sort be translated into English, Arabic, French, as well as the many other languages into which Lakhous' books have become available? And, what can Lakhous tell us about the importance of learning multiple languages and living in transit at their crossroads?
- Presented in collaboration with the French and Arabic Programs of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, and the AMICI Italian Club on campus
- Spearheaded and sponsored by The Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies (Department of Spanish and Italian) at Montclair State University
This event is a part of a series which also includes the April 6th in-class talks with Amara Lakhous. For more information, please see the event page.