EUROPEAN MINORITY-LANGUAGE LITERATURES: EUROPEAN MINORITY-LANGUAGE LITERATURES translation and dissemination policy and practice Alexandra Büchler Sioned Puw Rowlands


Literature in translation: Literature in translation part of the richest creative industry – international publishing Trends literature = 30 – 70% of translated books lack of diversity - homogenization of publishers’ “international” lists English = no 1 source language (40 - 80%) small source languages underrepresented


Slide8: Literatures written in “small” state languages and regional languages face the same problems in the international sphere low political and cultural prestige lack of awareness lack of qualified readers in publishing lack of skilled translators Need for systematic promotion and support


Slide9: What measures? promotion information point publications, print and web databases (translations, translators, authors) mobility and professional development translation subsidies – for publishers infrastructure – translators‘ centres, literature venues, festivals accessibility and transparency


Slide10: EU level European Union Foundations National level Key literature / book organisations promotion, exchange, multilateral cooperation information (print and on-line) funding


MAKING LITERATURE TRAVELSUPPORT FOR LITERARY EXCHANGE AND TRANSLATION IN EUROPEsurvey conducted byAlexandra Büchler and Dr Sioned Puw Rowlandswith Budapest Observatoryas part of the Literature Across Frontiers programmefunded by Culture 2000 and the European Cultural Foundation: MAKING LITERATURE TRAVEL SUPPORT FOR LITERARY EXCHANGE AND TRANSLATION IN EUROPE survey conducted by Alexandra Büchler and Dr Sioned Puw Rowlands with Budapest Observatory as part of the Literature Across Frontiers programme funded by Culture 2000 and the European Cultural Foundation


Slide12: SURVEY aims map the field – infrastructure across Europe establish recent trends in the publishing of translations identify key bodies and organisations contributing to the circulation of literary works and professionals examine their policies, practice and resources outcomes comparative survey of support at national, regional and European level with a focus on key organisations in selected small countries profiles: policies – implementation methods– resources information – data – know-how exemplary practice and projects recommendations for measures that could improve the international dissemination of literature written in the smaller languages


Slide13: Scope Timeframe 1990 - 2004 Geopolitical EU & regional level National Profiles Finland, Greece, Ireland Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Slovenia (and overview of CEE countries) Catalonia, Basque Country, Wales (minority languages) Romania „Recipient“ countries Germany – France – United Kingdom


Slide14: EU programmes Ariane 1996 (pilot) - 1999 Culture 2000 Culture 2007 ? 1st generation programmes Kaleidoscope - cultural creation and cooperation Raphael – protection and promotion of heritage Ariane – publishing and reading Partnership projects Professional development Translation grants (literary, theatre and reference works) Accompanying measures Aristeion Prize


Slide15: Culture 2000 programme Literature - Books and Reading Annual Multiannual Experimental actions (discontinued) Cooperation projects Translation grants


Slide16: Translation grants Criteria 20th century – post war EU official languages minimum 4 – maximum 10 works publish in 18 months Publishers‘ responses low awareness of programme misinformation about criteria perceived as too complicated EU languages restriction prioritization of less-diffused languages as target? only first-time translations time frame too short late payment of grant other stages in the process should receive support – sample translations, printing and marketing costs


Slide17: Spending? TOO LOW Culture 2000 spending – translation grants


Slide19: Culture 2007 programme contents and budget ??? European Forum for Arts and Heritage and European Cultural Foundation 70cents for culture campaign www.efah.org


Slide20: EU effect – redressing imbalances? Distribution by source and target language


Slide26: National level Ministry of Culture & Foreign Affairs e.g. Italy, Spain – bilateral agreements – large events Literature or Book Centre (arms-length organisations) e.g. Nordic countries, Netherlands, East and Central Europe dedicated organisation independence flexibility specialized staff - personal relationship with the field „one-stop shop“ point of contact source of information funding more likely to be known to publishers and participate in multilateral transnational projects and partnerships


Minority-language literatures: Minority-language literatures Provision for minorities in general Support for the field of literature and books e.g. Finland, Catalonia, Wales, Ireland Cross-border minorities e.g. Netherlands, Hungary, Slovenia


Catalonia and Wales: Catalonia and Wales Both next to a major language and powerful publishing industry Horizontal decentralization - competence in cultural matters devolved clash International cooperation remit – some at regional level EU cultural cooperation remit at national level


Catalonia: Catalonia Barcelona - centre of Spain’s publishing High international cultural profile Political support for international cultural projection (e.g. guest of honour) Support for language-teaching around the world – large no of speakers Projection as a country rather than region


Catalonia : Catalonia Catalan language and culture – single language Institucio de les Lletres Catalanes Institut Ramon Llull vs national level Instituto Cervantes Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport


Wales: Wales fewer speakers – 600,000 (20%) weaker international profile as a region and culture publishing in the shadow of England large-scale, high-profile cultural interventions difficult to implement Not in a position to sign cooperation memoranda beyond regional level


Wales: Wales Welsh literature support = bilingual Wales Arts International (1997) partnership between Arts Council and British Council Welsh Literature Abroad (2000) vs British Council – promotion of English language & British culture


Irish Presidency Seminar: Irish Presidency Seminar “Bringing Europe to Book” discussion paper by Michael Cronin Reports by governments on support for literary promotion and translation Representation Spain – Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport Wales – Welsh Assembly


Slide34: Literature Across Frontiers (LAF) is a programme of initiatives aiming to advance European cultural exchange in the field of literature and to enhance the work of organisations engaged in the international promotion of literature and support for literary translation, and particularly to: promote literatures written in the less widely used languages of Europe encourage their translation and publishing stimulate debate on policy and practice affecting this area develop innovative approaches to promotion, support for translation and small-language translator training create opportunities for collaboration and sharing of experience and resources amongst organisations operating in this field


Slide35: LAF Activities debates, seminars and conferences translation and writing workshops involvement in international literary events participation in book fairs research ands collection of relevant data publication of Transcript – European Internet Review of Books and Writing www.lit-across-frontiers.org www.transcript-review.org


Slide36: LAF Partners = LAF Network LAF base at Mercator Centre (UK) Partners: BookWorld Prague Books from Lithuania Center for Slovenian Literature Estonian Literature Centre FILI – Finnish Literature Centre Croatian Book Centre Commitee for the Promotion of Basque Literature Fund for the Promotion of Icelandic Literature Hungarian Translation Fund Latvian Literature Centre Portuguese Institute of Books and Libraries Ireland Literature Exchange – NORLA Norwegian Literature Abroad Polish Book Institute Institut Ramon Scottish Poetry Library Welsh Literature Abroad.


Slide37: LITERATURE ACROSS FRONTIERS and minority-language literatures Raising awareness Placing minority-language literatures in new contexts Creating new opportunities for translation Facilitating cooperation among organisations Inclusion of minority-language literatures Basque, Catalan, Irish, Welsh, Gaelic, Scots, Shetlandic Also Slovenian in Italy, Russian in Latvia etc.


Examples: Examples Individual authors presented in new contexts – e.g. Slovenian author Boris Pahor at the Gothenburg Book Fair, Welsh-language authors at the Leipzig Book Fair Ireland, Scotland and Wales – guest of honour at the Prague Book Fair 2004 Committee for the Promotion of Basque Literature Transcript – European Review of Books and Writing – Basque issue