Contemporary translation discourse often assumes the violence of translation and the invisibility of the translator, but this dissertation instead asks how the translator might make explicit her responsibility to develop and apply nonviolent translation practices particular to her text — in this case, the Exeter Book. The project begins with a critical section, a translator’s preface exploring theories of tact and intersubjective critical approaches, in order to hone a creative-critical method that respects and empathizes with the Exeter Book’s lyric poems, a contemporary audience, and the translator herself — one which also contributes to an emerging tradition at the intersection of literature, medievalism, and translation studies that seeks to address injustices. The creative project then implements the praxis of notes that emerges from this investigation by interweaving a fragmented lyric essay with new literary translations of the Exeter lyrics. Hybrid notes perform the act of translation and invite audience collaboration, while the translations themselves apply contemporary poetics in sympathy with medieval techniques — all in an effort to translate nonviolently. Tact, understood as respectful, empathetic touch, and interstice, defined as the spaces which enable intersubjective approach and withdrawal, facilitate innovative translations of the Exeter Book which pertain to wider ethical translation concerns.
Steering across Centuries: Tactful Translations of the Exeter Book's Lyric Poems
Szobody, M. L. (Author). 20 Jan 2026
Student thesis: Master's Thesis › Master of Philosophy (MPhil)