Translating Knowledge: Bees, Migraines, and More from Diderot and d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie
Department
Arts, Languages, and Philosophy
Major
Chemical Engineering
Research Advisor
Merfeld-Langston, Audra L.
Advisor's Department
Arts, Languages, and Philosophy
Funding Source
OURE
Abstract
The Encylopédie presented a compendium of knowledge of eighteenth-century France. Editors Denis Diderot and Jean-Baptiste le Rond d’Alembert spearheaded the effort to not only gather, but redefine knowledge in many disciplines. With more than 70,000 articles, the Encylopédie was meant to “change the common way of thinking,” according to Diderot.
More than two centuries later, another collaborative effort is underway: the translation into English of these articles. “The Encyclopedia of Diderot and d’Alembert Collaborative Translation Project” reflects many of Diderot and d’Alembert’s aims and involves volunteer translators from around the world--students, scholars, and subject experts—coming together to form a new type of “society of men of letters” whose aim is to increase access to these to the Encylopédie.
This poster will demonstrate some of the challenges of translating articles on topics as diverse as bees, migraines, Argonauts, and the Iron Age.
Biography
Kelly is a sophomore currently studying for her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. She works in a chemical engineering laboratory on campus and is involved in other school organizations. She very much enjoyed working with Dr. Merfeld-Langston and looks forward to future OURE projects.
Research Category
Arts and Humanities
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Arts and humanities poster session: Third place
Location
Upper Atrium/Hall
Presentation Date
15 Apr 2015, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Translating Knowledge: Bees, Migraines, and More from Diderot and d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie
Upper Atrium/Hall
The Encylopédie presented a compendium of knowledge of eighteenth-century France. Editors Denis Diderot and Jean-Baptiste le Rond d’Alembert spearheaded the effort to not only gather, but redefine knowledge in many disciplines. With more than 70,000 articles, the Encylopédie was meant to “change the common way of thinking,” according to Diderot.
More than two centuries later, another collaborative effort is underway: the translation into English of these articles. “The Encyclopedia of Diderot and d’Alembert Collaborative Translation Project” reflects many of Diderot and d’Alembert’s aims and involves volunteer translators from around the world--students, scholars, and subject experts—coming together to form a new type of “society of men of letters” whose aim is to increase access to these to the Encylopédie.
This poster will demonstrate some of the challenges of translating articles on topics as diverse as bees, migraines, Argonauts, and the Iron Age.
