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Publication details [#32069]

Abstract

This chapter uses an account of the twenty-first century efforts of Catalan literature to break into English-language book markets as a means of examining the opportunities, challenges and strategies that present themselves to smaller literatures in a changing reading and book-buying environment. The chapter first explains the historical significance to Catalan culture of translation, as a means not only of filling gaps in a disrupted history, but also of building and unifying Catalan cultural identity. It highlights the institutional measures put in place to support this effort and assesses the work of the Institut Ramon Llull. Though its initiatives appear to have increased production and visibility of Catalan literature, the chapter argues that the key role has been played by translators acting as gatekeepers. The chapter concludes with an assessment of the relationship between commercial success and major international prizes or choice of genre, noting that Catalan literature has not targeted either.
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