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Creative Translation & Scholarship

Terry Bradford, School of Languages, Culturues and Societies, University of Leeds

Current academic articles

#1 Clément Pansaers

In 2026, having given presentations on my translation of Clément Pansaers (see below) at conferences in Montreal (ACLA) and Norwich (BCLT), I shall be writing an article:

‘Translating Dada: Added Value in Translating Clément Pansaers.’

Abstract

Following in the footsteps of Andrew Rothwell’s (Romance Studies: 2009) influential and thought-provoking analysis of (machine) translation “on the dissecting table of Dada”, this paper considers the notion of (human) “added value” in that domain. Using my experience of having translated much of the work of Clément Pansaers – to be published by Wakefield Press (USA: Cambridge, MA) in 2026, we look at challenges in translating text that offers a “critique of rational, message-centric language” (Rothwell, 2009: 270). Acknowledging Rothwell’s significant findings and argument – particularly regarding the pitfalls in translating such logic-defying text, this paper discusses aspects of translating Dada that are arguably beyond the reach of machine translation. Using tools to be found in David Katan & Cinzia Spinzi’s edition of “Translation plus: The added value of the translator” (Cultus: 2021), the paper focuses on context (politics, polyphony), authorial intent (neologism, humour, Pansaers’ Dadaist “project”), and more mechanical concerns (presentation, page layout). In conclusion, the paper re-considers Cecilia Alvstad’s idea of a “translation pact” (Language and Literature: 2014) when translating Dada in an age of artificial intelligence, in a world that has gone gaga.

 

#2 Léon-Paul Fargue

I have written a short piece – in French – which is set to be published in the next edition of Ludions, the journal devoted to the memory of Léon-Paul Fargue.

Ongoing practice

I am translating, proofreading, editing, and revising a number of pieces of translation work simultaneously

Literary translation work (published)

  • Clément Pansaers, Bar Nicanor, Wakefield Press (Cambridge, MA: June 2026). A major contribution (300+ pages) as the first translation – in any language – of Pansaers' collected works.

Literary translation work (forthcoming)

  • André de Lorde, Nightmares, Snuggly Books (Sacramento: tbc). 24 short stories (+ Translator’s Introduction). [Submitted. Final stage.]
  • Clémentine Mélois, Outside, the Storm, Keruan Serai Press (New York: tbc), [ Revision stage.]
  • André de Lorde, Shivers, Snuggly Books (Sacramento: tbc). 18 short stories. [ Revision stage.]
  • Pierre-Thomas-Nicolas Hurtaut, The Art of Farting; Pierre-Jean Le Corvaisier, Slavery Undone or The Society of the Free-Farters (Wakefield Press, MA: tbc). [ Editing stage.]

Other translation/writing (published)

Other translation/writing (forthcoming)

  • Butoirs – A Prose Poem Never Written by Léon-Paul Fargue: an Annotated Pseudo-translation by Terry Bradford, in Ludions, tbc.
  • Butoirs – Un poème en prose que n’a pas écrit Léon-Paul Fargue : la rétro-traduction d’une pseudo-traduction de Terry Bradford, in Ludions, tbc.
  • ‘A Sample of the Prose Poetry of Saint-Pol-Roux’, in Typo #17 (Black Scat Books, January 2027), tbc.
  • ‘In the Valley he Sleeps’ (Rimbaud’s Le Dormeur du val), in Poetry and Audience (School of English, U. of Leeds) 52. [Forthcoming.]
  • Les Hydropathes: Poems by André Gill, Charles Cros, & Émile Goudeau, in Typo #16 (Black Scat Books, October 2026). [ Revision stage.]