Francesca Benocci (PhD Candidate In Literary Translation Studies) presenting her work on translating Māori poets into Italian at Te Herenga Waka marae
As part of the School of Languages and Cultures course, FHSS 110 Reading the World: Languages and Cultures in Context, students were welcomed onto Te Herenga Waka Marae on 8 August. After a pohiri, marae staff member Monoa Taepa gave a fascinating kōrero about the wharenui and its significance.
Dr Sally Hill, Head of the School of Languages and Cultures, then introduced Italian PhD Candidate and literary translator, Francesca Benocci, who spoke about her experiences of translating the work of women poets from Aotearoa into Italian, and on the question of how to translate (or not translate) words in te reo Māori.
After the lecture, participants joined marae staff and Te Kawa a Māui students for afternoon tea in the wharekai.
FHSS 110 course coordinator Dr Andrea Hepworth commented that students, both international and local, were deeply impressed by the visit: “It really built on the lecture given earlier in the course by Dr Ocean Mercier from Te Kawa a Māui, and left the students with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Māori culture. I wish every first-year student could have this truly memorable experience.”