Translation in Theory and Practice
In order to cultivate a new emphasis on literary translation, the Kaplan Humanities Institute is partnering with the Program in Comparative Literary Studies to host a quarterly Translation in Theory and Practice talk and workshop series aimed particularly at students.
2026-2027 events
Hot Takes on Homer! — Northwestern faculty panel
November 10, 2026 (Tues.)
12:00 - 1:30 pm
(Location to be announced)
Come enjoy lunch and join in the fun as Northwestern humanities faculty share their "hot takes" on the works of Homer! Flash talks may feature:
- Favorite (or least favorite!) Homer translation
- Thoughts on The Odyssey film (and/or the brouhaha over one translator’s comments about it in the media)
- Dramatic readings of favorite passages/sections
- The “how” and “why” to use multiple (or a single) translations/adaptations in the classroom
- And even why keep translating Homeric Greek?
Undergrads, grads, faculty, and staff all welcome!
This event is a pre-event "appetizer" to the November 16 keynote by Daniel Mendelsohn, who will discuss his new translation of The Odyssey at one of the Kaplan Institute's fall Critical Conversations in the Humanities.
Annie Tucker and Laksmi Pamuntjak
February 23, 2027 (Tues.)
5:00 - 6:30 pm
Kresge #2351 - Kaplan Institute seminar room
Annie Tucker is winner of the 2025-2026 Humanities in Translation (HiT) Prize for The Book of Mating, her translation of Indonesian writer Pamuntjak’s short story collection Kitab Kawin.
*There will also be a public book launch at Bookends and Beginnings on February 25, 2027 (6pm).
Rita Kothari
May 25, 2027 (Tues.)
5:00 - 6:30 pm
Kresge #2351 - Kaplan Institute seminar room
Rita Kothari is Professor of English and Co-Director, Ashoka Center for Translation, Ashoka University.
Past events - translation in theory and practice
Click HERE to view events from previous years.