Courtney McDonald

Courtney McDonald is exploring the translation of the transcultural poet Manfred Winkler, specifically delving into the aspect of gentleness as expression.

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PhD Candidate in Literary Translation Studies
School of Languages and Cultures

Qualifications

BA in German and Modern Languages, 2019 Victoria University of Wellington

Master in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation (Distinction), 2021 Victoria University of Wellington

Profile

A passion for the German language and its literature has led Courtney to her PhD on the illustrious yet relatively unknown poet, Manfred Winkler. As a survivor of the Shoah, Winkler’s work is remarkable for many reasons, one in particular is his mastery of the power to be gentle. Her research is currently looking at Winkler’s poetry through the lens of gentleness and applying it an interpretation of actions during and after the Shoah. She is working on the translations for the Anglophone audience so that they may be able to connect with Winkler’s discerning worldview.

Supervisors

Senior Lecturer in German
School of Languages and Cultures

Associate Professor

School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations

Publications

McDonald, C. The Mindful Act of Translating Poetry from the Shoah. “with love and gratitude for much that was beautiful and unforgettable”- Selma Meerbaum-Eisinger. Neke The New Zealand Journal of Translation Studies, (2020) https://doi.org/10.26686/neke.v3i1.6589