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A Zombie Theory of Translation; or, What is a “Revenant” Translation?

Jacques Derrida has a zombie theory of translation, which he presents to a select group of elders at the Università di Ghetto Nuovo in Venice. His theory involves a close reading of The Merchant of Venice—and while he speaks there’s a crashing noise inside one wall. A moment later, a hidden door opens and Shylock himself steps out—but a zombie Shylock, come back for his pound of flesh. Soon tens of thousands of zombie Shylocks are pouring out of the buildings in the Ghetto Nuovo and overrunning Venice—six million of them, chased by Nazi Portias with Tommy guns. Derrida (the narrator and heteronymous “author” of the piece) and all the other Jews are safe: the zombie Shylocks are only after the Gentiles.

To be published by Cambridge Elements in late summer, 2025!

(Coming soon!)

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