The French section of the Department of Languages, Information and Communications at Manchester Metropolitan University is pleased to announce its annual Translation Competition for A-Level students.
The translation task is to produce an English version of part of a book titled Nico perdu à Londres by Hubert Ben Kemoun (Editions Nathan 2010). Ben Kemoun is a childrens’ writer and playwright who is almost unknown in English speaking countries.
The competition aims to promote language learning through French popular culture. It will introduce A-Level students to the challenges of translating a range of grammatical structures, colloquial expressions and cultural references into authentic English.
Nico perdu à Londres is about a French schoolboy who gets lost on a trip to London. It gives a light-hearted view of English life seen through French eyes. The passage to be translated is centred around their trip to Buckingham Palace.
The text can be downloaded here:
https://www2.mmu.ac.uk/hlss/schools-liaison/french-competition/
Schools are asked to submit 2 entries chosen internally from among their participating students and to send both to the following address: hlssschools@mmu.ac.uk
Please indicate clearly in the e-mail subject that the contents are for the French A-Level Translation Competition.
Deadline for Entries: 21 January 2019
Entries will be judged by a panel chosen by the Department of Languages, Information and Communications
Announcement of Winner: 18 February 2019
The winner will receive a trophy and a music gift card to the value of £50.
For further details and queries, please contact: Matthew Screech: m.screech@mmu.ac.uk
- When translating try and retain the tone of the original as much as possible. Be creative in conveying the humorous ideas and playful tone, as well as in conveying the cultural references.
- You can find out more about the author here https://www.babelio.com/auteur/Hubert-Ben-Kemoun/12163
