Seminar on “Translators’ Choice: Comparing Translations of Shakespeare’s Hamlet”
On April 30, 2025, the Department of English and Humanities at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) organized a seminar titled “Translators’ Choices: Comparing Translations of Shakespeare’s Hamlet” to celebrate the birth anniversary of William Shakespeare. The speaker was Nusrat Tajkia, Lecturer, DEH, who gave an engaging and insightful presentation on the cultural and interpretive significance of translating Shakespeare.
Opening the session with a lighthearted joke, Ms. Tajkia set a friendly tone and introduced the topic by emphasizing the enduring relevance of Shakespeare and the role of translation in reimagining his works. A YouTube video skit was shown featuring various performances of the iconic line, “To be or not to be,” showcasing how intonation and delivery shape interpretation. Participants were then asked to translate the line, which were later exchanged to reflect on differing linguistic and cultural choices.
Ms. Tajkia highlighted how Shakespeare’s works have transcended literature to become entertainment media, appearing in films, anime, and even music. She also touched on Shakespeare's historical role as both a literary icon and a symbol of colonial authority.
Using Alexander Burak’s framework for cultural appropriation in translation, she examined four versions of Hamlet translated into Bangla: a prose version, a classroom-friendly adaptation, a poem, and a trimmed theatrical script. Through these, she illustrated how translators' choices reflect both fidelity to the source and cultural negotiation.
In conclusion, she discussed the future of translation, acknowledging the growing reliability of machine translation while emphasizing the continued value of human interpretation. By comparing multiple translations, she argued, we gain deeper insight into cultural nuances and diverse readerships.
Reported by Yusuf Abdullah Tokee (232013023)