Research Focus Group Event: Undergraduate Research and Creative Showcase

This undergraduate showcase will feature a research presentation by Fiona Boborci, titled “Translating Childhood: Untranslatability, Linguistic Hospitality, and Reader Perception in The Little Prince.” In her talk, Fiona explores the linguistic, philosophical, and cultural dimensions of translation in children’s literature, examining how different English translations of Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince produce distinct understandings of childhood, imagination, and moral responsibility. Drawing on both French and English traditions, the presentation highlights translation as an active and transformative process that shapes reader perception.

Fiona Boborci is a senior French and Comparative Literature double major at UCSB. She has studied French since early childhood and brings this linguistic background to her work in modern francophone literature. She will continue her studies after graduation in a teacher credentialing and master’s program, with a focus on the intersections of linguistics, literature, and bilingual education.

Following the talk, the event will continue with a curated showcase of undergraduate creative projects, featuring adaptations of literary works into visual media aimed at young adult audiences. Together, the research and creative components highlight diverse approaches to engaging with literature across languages, media, and audiences.

Zoom attendance link here

Cosponsored by the IHC’s Global Childhood Media Research Focus Group