This paper is an introduction to the special issue of Linguistica Antverpiensia: New Series (4) on fictional translation and multiligualism by the editors of the special issue, Dirk Delabastita and Rainier Grutman. In this introduction, both editors provide an introduction to the subject, talking from own experiences. The introduction starts with a historical overview of literary bilingualism. The authors look back at the 80s, when literary multilingualism was still an unconventional domain of study. In today's world, talk of multilingualism no longer raises eyebrows but is seen, quite matter-of-factly, as a sign of the times. Furthermore, they discuss and itroduce the articles and authors present in this special issue. Finally they try to define the role of fictional translators.