Possible Worlds: Jorge Luis Borges's (Pseudo-) Translations of Virginia Woolf and Franz Kafka

Reading
creates imaginary worlds. Rather than merely contemplating this world, we
establish links between the fictional world and the environment we live in. At
the same time, the books we read form part of our daily lives, and contribute
to the creation of a universe of possible worlds we inhabit. Taking Possible
World Theory as a starting point, DeWald re-evaluates and overturns the assumed
hierarchical relationship between original text and its translation. Focusing
on the translations of Virginia Woolf and Franz Kafka by Argentine writer Jorge
Luis Borges, the author considers why we insist on maintaining borders between
texts. DeWald examines marginal cases of translations and originals
(pseudo-translations and collaborative translations) to determine what is meant
by 'original' and 'translation', and whether the (often gendered) translator
becomes an author in her own right, responsible for further possible
worlds.

Rebecca
DeWald holds a PhD in Translation Studies from the University of Glasgow. She
works as a bilingual translator, is co-editor of the Glasgow Review of Books,
and literature programme producer at Scotland's international artist residency
centre Cove Park.