Translating Burgess | Burgess Translating

This project will examine the role that translation, interlingual exchanges and global publishing played in the creative work of the British author Anthony Burgess, born in Manchester, during his lifetime but also how it has continuously shaped his international image in recent years. Throughout his life, Burgess developed an interest in modern languages, he published literary translations, collaborative translations (with Liana Burgess), and exchanged extensive correspondence with his translators and publishing agents, both in English as well as other (sometimes invented) languages. At the same time, his writing has entered the global circulation through translations and adaptations into multiple languages across the world – with Chinese and Arabic listed among the most recent ones.

Combining critical approaches from translation studies, world literature, modern languages, and English studies, the project will address this gap by working closely with the Manchester-based International Anthony Burgess Foundation, whose unique archive holds extensive and unexamined translation-related materials. The doctoral student will conduct archival research into correspondence between the author, his translators, publishers and literary agents. The doctoral project will be hosted at the Centre of Translation and Intercultural Studies (CTIS) at the University of Manchester, which is part of the multilingual and interdisciplinary department of Modern Languages and Cultures, enabling significant flexibility regarding the candidate’s language profile and disciplinary background, and offering space for the student to co-shape their doctoral project in a preferred direction.

Besides advancing their archival and research skills, the doctoral student will participate in the ongoing project of creating an in-situ multilingual exhibition dedicated to the global reception of Burgess’s novel A Clockwork Orange in translation. Co-curated by Kasia Szymanska and the Foundation, the exhibition aims to engage the city of Manchester’s multilingual reading communities to respond to the cosmopolitan potential of Burgess’s best-known novel through translations, multilingual recordings and performances.

Eligibility

1. The knowledge of at least one language other than English is essential for this application.
2. Previous qualifications/degrees: Modern Languages, English Studies, Comparative Literature, World Literature, Translation Studies, Intercultural Studies, and/or any other related areas.

Academic Requirements

• Bachelor’s (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
• Master’s degree in a relevant subject – with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent)

English Language

All applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency:

• IELTS test minimum score – 7.0 overall, 7.0 in writing.
• TOEFL (internet based) test minimum score – 100 overall, 25 in all sections.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) UKVI/SELT or PTE Academic minimum score – 76 overall, 76 in writing.
• To demonstrate that you have taken an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a majority English speaking nation within the last 5 years.
• Other tests may be considered.

The application deadline will be Midnight (GMT) on 28 February 2025. Apply online for PhD in Translation & Intercultural Studies at the University of Manchester.

Under Section 6 Research Details select ‘Yes’ to ‘Are you applying for an advertised project?’. Insert the project title as stated at the top of the advert. It is recommended when entering the name of the supervisor to simply enter this and not use the supervisor search function.

Please indicate in Section 9 Funding Sources your intention to apply for the AHRC NWCDTP CDA Award ‘Translating Burgess nearmejobs.eu Burgess Translating’.

Please ensure all required supporting documents are included at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered. Your application must include the following:

• A copy of your Bachelor’s academic transcript and certificate.
• A copy of your Master’s academic transcript and certificate. If your Master’s degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript.
• If you have completed more than one Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, please provide evidence for each. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
• An academic CV, summarising your employment history, publications and highlighting experience demonstrating your research potential.
• Supporting statement of a maximum of 700 words indicating why you would like to undertake this studentship and explaining how your focus, experience, and skills link to the research outlined above
• Example of a piece of academic writing produced by you of up to 5,000 words (you may consider submitting two shorter pieces if these deal separately with conceptual and empirical analyses). This may be an academic essay or chapter(s) from a dissertation, in which case, an abstract or introduction outlining the context/aims/research questions of the study must also be included. In Section 12, upload the Writing Sample under Research Statement/Proposal and label it clearly as “Writing Sample.”
• You must nominate two academic referees (including one from your most recent institution). Your referees will be contacted directly via the Referee Portal following the submission of your application form. You may wish to contact your referees to request they submit your reference in a reasonable timeframe as this forms part of the review process;
• AHRC NWCDTP Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form
• A PhD Proposal is not required.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact Dr Kasia Szymanska (kasia.szymanska@manchester.ac.uk)

Formal interviews: Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 17 March 2025.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and are at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.