Courtney McDonald

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

Qualifications

PhD in Literary Translation Studies, 2025 Victoria University of Wellington

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 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 looked at Winkler’s poetry through the lens of gentleness and applying it an interpretation of actions during and after the Shoah. Courtney worked on the translations for the Anglophone audience so that they may be able to connect with Winkler’s discerning worldview.

Supervisors

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