The course aims to show a multidisciplinary approach to the analysis of linguistic, translation and literary phenomena on the basis of a cultural "event" of great importance such as the first Italian translations, in the 1930s, of the famous short story "Die Verwandlung "by Franz Kafka. The path will show the students, involving them in the investigative work, the ramifications that are created when the Italian version of a foreign text, in this case a German text, is published.

The first part of the course will focus on the theoretical, cultural, social and literary aspects, with references to many other disciplines that contribute to the creation of a "polysystemic" panorama.

In the second part of the course, the linguistic (and translation) phenomenon in the strict sense will be highlighted, through work and reflection on the original text of Kafka's short story and on its very first Italian editions.

The first two weeks will be dedicated to the definition of the literary phenomenon constituted by the work of Franz Kafka and, specifically, by the short story "Die Verwandlung".

In the third and fourth week we will analyze the great ramification of events not directly connected to the literary and linguistic question, after illustrating Even-Zohar's polysystem theory and its importance for the study of literary phenomena.

In weeks 5 to 8, the linguistic and translation problems posed by the text of "Die Verwandlung" will be analyzed, both in German and in Italian, involving the students in the analysis itself.

At the beginning of the course, some texts will be suggested to introduce translation theory and Franz Kafka's work.

Knowledge and understanding: students will learn methods and techniques of translation and linguistic investigation starting from a literary phenomenon, and analyse into depth the figure of Franz Kafka and his works, from the short stories to the novels.

Applied knowledge and comprehension skills: students, in group work, will use the knowledge accumulated especially in the initial part of the course to reflect actively and on different levels on the linguistic issues posed by any literary text, a very useful activity for those approaching the teaching of foreign languages ??and cultures.

Making judgment: students will learn how to discriminate between relevant and irrelevant data in order to articulate an autonomous and personal reading of literary manifestations, both in the cultures of origin and in the cultures with which they come into contact.

Communication skills: students will have to develop the ability to explain and describe literary and linguistic phenomena to specialists and non-specialists with the right references not only to the research areas that naturally deal with these phenomena, but also the ability to broaden their vision to other spheres of investigation (historical, social, cultural, political, etc.)

Learning skills: students will have to develop the cultural tools in order to independently investigate any other literary or cultural phenomenon with the same wealth of resources and ideas.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Group work

Short analysis on published editions

Materials available online and made available by the teacher.

Teaching

Traditional lecture

Interactive lesson

Group or individual work

Attendance

Students are advised to attend all lessons. During the course they will be assigned the task of commenting on the translation solutions chosen by translators of Kafka's short story.

Course books

Franz Kafka, "Die Verwandlung", Fischer, Frankfurt am Main 2008

Franz Kafka, "La metamorfosi", Vallecchi, Firenze 1934

Franz Kafka, "Il messaggio dell'imperatore", Frassinelli, Torino 1935

Materials provided by the teacher during the course

Assessment

The final grade has two components:

Oral exam (90%)

Translation report / comment (10%)

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Materials provided by the teacher on the Moodle platform

Course books

Franz Kafka, "Die Verwandlung", Fischer, Frankfurt am Main 2008

Franz Kafka, "La metamorfosi", Vallecchi, Firenze 1934

Franz Kafka, "Il messaggio dell'imperatore", Frassinelli, Torino 1935

Ralf Kellermann (a cura di), "Franz Kafka. Die Verwandlung. Text und Kontext", Reclam, Ditzingen 2013

Materials provided by the teacher on the Moodle platform

Assessment

Oral examination

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.