Synopsis:

This research project proposes to undertake a historical and critical survey of theatre translation practice in Portugal from the nineteenth century through to the present day, considering both linguistic and intersemiotic translation, and attempting to explain their meaning, relevance and reception at a given historical and social context, focusing on processes such as “acculturation” and “interculturalism” (Patrice Pavis,1996). This approach takes into account the role of theatre translation in the constitution of theatre repertories and in the transformation of local and national artistic practices as a result of contact with foreign models.

The combination of perspectives, interests and methodologies from Translation and Theatre Studies, and insights from areas of study such as Cultural Anthropology and Sociology, through a comparative perspective, will be essential in order to understand theatre translation as a socio-cultural phenomenon, within a descriptive translation studies framework. For this reason this project will have the collaboration of another research unit, the Centre for Theatre Studies.

If we take into account that theatre translation, its production, circulation and reception belong to two different systems, the literary and the theatrical ones, which are also part of the cultural, social and economic system (Sirkku Aaltonen distinguishes in this way drama from theatre, 2000, p.33), it is clear that translation strategies and the relationship between source and target text can differ according to the system to which they belong. The translation strategies expected and accepted from translators vary according to the system in which they function.

Bearing these questions in mind, we propose to demonstrate how the relationship between the dramatic text and its performance affects translation strategies, and how the translation of theatrical practices from one culture to another enriches and determines Portuguese theatrical production during the period under scrutiny, as well as its function within Portuguese culture and society. Consequently, one will appreciate the impact of certain foreign playwrights on Portuguese literary and theatrical production. The main objective of this research will be to understand the processes of theatrical production and reception in Portugal and to contribute to a history of theatre translation in Portugal. 

Thus, this project will be divided into two inter-related, complementary parts:

• TETRA-BASE: Historical mapping and construction of a database with this information, available online on the homepage of both research units. This survey and classification of data will be carried out by the research staff and full-time research assistants (to be appointed). At the end of the project, these data will also be published in a series of a History of Portuguese Theatre Translation. These tasks will take into account the questions outlined above and the data cataloguing will include aspects such as: the influence of specific foreign dramaturgies, playwrights and historical dates, who translated the texts for whom, number of translations, publishers, collections, theatre companies repertoire, number of performances, directors, type of translation and genre.
• CONTACT STAGES: In a second phase, the project will analyse part of the data catalogued through case studies, which will be published in a collection of themed essays. This volume will bring together contributions by members of the project as well as other national and international collaborators, specialists in this field of study.

Research Team:

• Maria João Monteiro Brilhante (CET, FLUL)
• João Ferreira Duarte (CEC, FLUL)
• Sara Ramos Pinto (CEC, FLUL)
• Sebastiana Fadda (CET, FLUL)
• Ana Teresa Brizio Marques dos Santos (Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Brimingham)
  

Participating Institutions:

• Centro de Estudos de Teatro/Fundação Universidade de Lisboa
• University of Birmingham

Advisors:

• Christine Zurbach (Universidade de Évora)
• Patricia Odber de Baubeta (University of Birmingham)
• Raquel Merino (Universidad del País Vasco)
• Sirkku Aaltonen (University of Vaasa)

Contact: 

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