Idioms in Translation
This year I decided to give special attention to our everyday use of language, particularly one of its more visual and creative facets: idioms. The aim of my research has been to see how intricately connected language and culture are, and to express this visually. Understanding idiomatic fragments of foreign languages through playful images is a good way to declare shared cultural space, create new connections and expand horizons.
The resulting artefacts are intended as tools to start conversations among people of different cultures and for them to find common ground. My experience and enthusiasm for learning and teaching languages intertwine with my illustration practice through the visual representation of spoken words and playing with print composition and bookmaking.
I aim to bring ethical and cultural contexts to my work to promote international cultural understanding and acceptance of diversity.
Eleni penderfynais roi sylw arbennig i’n defnydd bob dydd o ieithoedd, yn enwedig un o’i nodweddion mwy gweledol a chreadigol: idiomau. Nod fy ymchwil oedd gweld i ba raddau y mae iaith a diwylliant wedi’u cysylltu’n gywrain, a mynegi hyn mewn ffordd weledol. Mae deall tameidiau idiomatig o ieithoedd tramor trwy ddelweddau chwareus yn ffordd dda o ddatgan gofod diwylliannol a rennir, creu cysylltiadau newydd ac ehangu gorwelion.
Bwriedir i’r arteffactau deilliannol fod yn offer i gychwyn sgyrsiau ymysg pobl o ddiwylliannau gwahanol ac iddynt ddod o hyd i dir cyffredin. Mae fy mhrofiad o a brwdfrydedd dros ddysgu ac addysgu ieithoedd yn dod ynghyd gyda fy arfer darlunio trwy gynrychioliadau gweledol o eiriau llafar a chwarae gyda chyfansoddiadau print a chreu llyfrau.
Rwy’n ceisio dod â chyd-destunau moesegol a diwylliannol at fy ngwaith er mwyn hybu dealltwriaeth a derbyniad diwylliannol rhyngwladol o amrywiaeth.
