Translating Women's Voices

Thursday, February 11, 2027 From 6:00 PM To 7:30 PM Add to Calendar 2027-02-11 18:00:00 2027-02-11 19:30:00 Translating Women's Voices This three-part workshop series explores how translators bring an author’s voice into English through brief introductions, hands-on exercises, and group discussion, with a focus on tone, rhythm, and meaning. The French Library, 53 Marlborough St, Boston, Massachusetts, United States America/New_York

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How do translators carry a woman’s voice into another language? What happens when gender is explicit in French but less visible in English?

Join Stéphanie Ravillon for an interactive workshop exploring how translation choices shape voice, identity, and perspective. We’ll work with excerpts by women writers from the French-speaking world to discover how distinctive rhythms, tones, and perspectives find their way into English.

Through close reading and small-group translation exercises, we’ll also explore how grammatical gender can influence meaning, and what a translation might reveal, soften, or leave unsaid. Participants will compare their versions and discuss the choices that make each one distinct.

About the Series

The Art of Translation is a three-part workshop series exploring how translators bring an author’s voice to life in another language. Each session combines a short introduction with hands-on exercises and group discussion, focusing on the choices that carry the original text’s tone, rhythm, and meaning into English.

Sessions may be attended individually or as a series.

Workshops Schedule

On Voice and Translation: An Introduction
📅 Tuesday, January 26, 2027 | 6:00–7:30 PM
Translating Women's Voices
📅 Thursday, February 11, 2027 | 6:00–7:30 PM
Translation Humor and Wordplay
📅 Thursday, March 11, 2027 | 6:00–7:30 PM

Workshops are conducted in English, with French texts, and combine close reading, translation exercises, and group discussion. No translation experience is required; intermediate French and a solid command of English are recommended.

Kindly note: Following last year’s sold-out workshops, early registration is encouraged. As places are limited and advance preparation is required, registrations are nonrefundable. Thank you for your understanding.

Member (includes 3 in-person sessions)

$120

Non-member (includes 3 in-person sessions)

$145

Member (Famous Opening Lines)

$45

Non-member(Famous Opening Lines)

$55

About the Instructor

Stéphanie Ravillon is Associate Teaching Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Brown University. She graduated from the University of Burgundy, France, with a Ph.D. in Postcolonial Studies.

Her current teaching and research interests include: contemporary French language, culture and society; second language acquisition; curriculum design; teacher training; and translation pedagogy.

Upcoming Events

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Workshop

On Voice and Translation: An Introduction

The Art of Translation Series

Tuesday, January 26, 2027

This three-part workshop series explores how translators bring an author’s voice into English through brief introductions, hands-on exercises, and group discussion, with a focus on tone, rhythm, and meaning.

Workshop

Translating Humor and Wordplay

The Art of Translation Series

Thursday, March 11, 2027

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