Up to this point, I’ve avoided talking facts and figures when it comes to translated literature in the United States. My first intention was to share the fact that these books were even out there in the first place, something I readily admit I was fairly ignorant to until I began all this. My second intention was to showcase how reading across borders is an often-overlooked aspect in promoting diversity in the world of children’s literature. Thirdly, I wanted to ponder the myriad of “whys” that my first two intentions tend to generate. In order to do that, we have to begin at the beginning and take a closer look at what’s actually being published in the United States annually in terms of translated literature.
But I’ve held out up until now because, well, because I find it slightly depressing. Across all genres, translated literature makes up about 3% of the publishing industry in the United States. Three Percent, a resource regarding international literature run by the University of Rochester, is a wonderful source of information, facts, figures and finer details. They do a wonderful job keeping up with current trends in the industry and keeping a list of translated materials currently being published. Unfortunately, their work doesn’t really delve into the genre of children’s literature. But as a research tool, what they have to say is extremely important.
Especially given that the figure of 3% is slightly misleading. That percentage includes ALL translated materials, which could include manuals, instruction booklets and other technical documents. If you then factor in the percentage of published materials that are reprints or classics, the amount of texts that are fiction or poetry by current living authors from around the world is a fraction of that percentage.
A 2013 article from Publishing Perspectives sounded a call to “join the fight” for more translated titles to be brought to English speaking countries. (The UK also lags far behind, with only about 4% of the publishing going to translated titles. Could it be an English language connection? What does that have to say about the perceived notions of Americans and the British about their literature? I’m sensing a rabbit hole here, perhaps another blog, another day…) The article cited statistics about some other country’s current translated publication trends, noting “in Poland a staggering 46% of books published are titles in translation, in Germany over 12%, in Spain around 24% and in France around 15%.” These figures mostly hold true for the literature for adults, so what about for children?
I found this incredibly insightful article (and recent, written in July 2017) from translator Lyn Miller-Lachmann, whose work I acknowledged in my honorable mention category a few posts ago for her translation of Lines, Squiggles, Letters, Words. In it, she discusses this summer’s American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Chicago, where she organized a panel for YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) titled “Reading the World: Selecting and Presenting Global Literature for Teens.” For her introductory portion of the panel, she focused on the rationale for libraries collecting international books in translation, citing “statistics showing that in most of Europe and Asia, books in translation account for 30-50% of all children’s books published, whereas in the United States, the percentage was 3.7 in 2015 according to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. That 3.7% was a vast improvement over 2003, when the percentage was 1.9.” It is also worth noting that of all children’s books being translated, picture books make up the largest percentage. So while there is hope, we are still far behind the rest of the world in general.
The question then becomes, what can we do about it? The deficiency has been noted, so what power do we have to make publishers pay attention? And what’s important to remember when looking for, choosing and reading translated titles?
- The most obvious is to make your choices know through the titles you’re purchasing. Let’s be honest, sales matter. Next time you’re going to expand your bookshelf, consider adding a translated title. If you’re not able to purchase them yourself, ask your library to consider adding them to their buying list. I’ve noted multiple times how difficult it is to get some of these titles, some with only one copy in all of the lending system in my home state of Michigan.
- long that same line, share titles that you like with others. Make them aware of how much you enjoyed the book and why. I’ll get back to this point in a little bit, about how to share these books, but just know that it’s important to let your voice be heard.
- Seek out additional translated titles if you find an author you like, or an illustrator, or if you find yourself enjoying books from a certain country or region of the world. I have included a list of wonderful references and starting points on the right-hand column of my blog. Don’t get hung up on books that win awards or earn rave reviews – read what appeals to you. I’m not saying that they’re not always worth those awards, but remember that what is deemed the “best” in these awards isn’t necessarily the “best” of what is out there. Also remember that what the best a particular country, language, author or illustrator has to offer is not what we are seeing, as it’s never been translated. Our perception is shaped by what small fraction makes its way to us.
- Similar to that, remember that there are many ways to get “lost” along the way when reading a translation. I discussed a number of them in this post and the three that followed. Don’t dismiss a book simply because it seems “weird” or “foreign.” It may require a little extra legwork or research on your part to figure out why it doesn’t seem quite right. Or maybe it might not be your thing, and that’s completely OK! We don’t like every book we pick up, no matter where it originated and that is perfectly acceptable.
- Pay attention to the details. Remember that we’ve often discussed how important the role of the translator is and that they deserve to be credited for their work. Seek out titles where you can find the name of the translator – if not on the cover or title page, at least in the copyright information. When a person is credited it gives value to their work and an added value to the book as a whole. You know one specific person did their best to credibly take a story from its source language to its target language.
How to share these titles has been something that I have been consciously aware of since I first started writing blog posts. Back in September, I was just getting into the swing of research and blogging when I began to worry about my approach to sharing these books. I wanted to present a realistic and balanced approach to the world of translated picture books, but I was worried that I was placing too much emphasis on reading any of these books “because” they were translated. My goal had always been to share interesting books around the world, noting why they were significant and special, “and” that they were translated. The internal struggle of “because vs. and” began to weigh heavily on me. I shared my concerns with my family and few friends who reassured me that they knew well enough what my intentions were, but I was concerned that was not as evident to the average reader.
Overwhelmed, I turned to my amazing mentor, who offered me “so write about it.” Whenever I’ve gotten stuck along the way she’s been a wonderful sounding board, so I immediately took her advice and crafted a post that lifted so much weight off my shoulders. I showed it to her, telling her that I wanted to post it right away, before I really started sharing too many titles. She suggested, instead, that I consider that this was better left for the end, as thoughts to share on how anyone reading this humble little blog of mine may re-evaluate their own views on why translated literature is important. So I offer you the following, crafted by yours truly very early in September…
I think I’ve gotten hung up on semantics. It’s not an uncommon theme for a writer – you hem, haw, brood, fret and worry about exactly the right word. It needs to convey everything you mean, just how you mean it. Right there in black and white. It’s a daunting task when you’re verbalizing the words. When you’re putting them on paper it can be terrifying. And exhausting.
I know because I’m exhausted. I’ve been losing sleep and fretting about two little words and how they shape this project. So much so that I wanted to address them in an unscheduled, off-category post.
According to my friend Webster, ‘because’ means “for the reason that; since.” It implies that something happened, a choice was made, action was taken due to the fact that it was influenced by something else. For me, it feels exclusive – cause and effect. I see it as limiting, linear, without choice. The only reason that the next action occurs.
On the opposite end of my current spectrum based on this perspective is the word “and.” That word is used to link items together. It does not give any additional weight to one over the other. There isn’t a ranking or causation associated with “and” – each is of equal importance, it is just one more factor for consideration and merit.
Lately, I have been concerned that I am doing this project “because” they’re translated. That the fact that they began in another language, in another country is enough to consider them worthy of note. Even if that note is just some undergrad student sharing her viewpoints. The more I’ve thought about it the more I worry that may be what I’m portraying through my blog. That I’m encouraging readers to pick up these books ‘because’ they’re translated.
I hope not. I hope that after you read a post or after you (I hope!) read one of these or other translated titles on your own that you read it for its own experience; enjoying it for its uniqueness, beauty, perspective ‘and’ as an additional consideration, it’s translated.
I will readily admit that when I first started finding books I was in the ‘because’ category. That’s what I needed to do at that time to begin to stockpile materials. That was what originally interested me, reading it for this project ‘because’ it was translated. But once I found them and as I began to think about how to share my findings I moved strongly into the ‘and’ camp. I never want to insinuate that I think anyone should reading some of these books ‘because’ they’re translated texts. That is unfair and limiting. It is, as I was recently reminded by my wise advisor, reminiscent of what novelist Chimamanda Adichie describes in her TED talk as “The Danger of a Single Story.” That is a dangerous path to travel down, one that is definitely not the intention of what I am trying to do here.
As I’ve said and will continue to say, I am learning. I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know everything (though according to my kids my Mom does!). I’m simply excited, elated, thrilled and honored to shed a little light on what is such a niche market in the world of literature. I don’t want to do that ‘because’ of what it is, I want to shed the light on it ‘and’ show how special that makes it.
Semantics it may be but hopefully I’ll sleep better tonight.
I have to admit that I smiled and got warm-fuzzies reading this back. After nearly thirty posts, I have no doubt about my own intentions anymore. It is my hope that message has been conveyed. I additionally hope that this is how you may consider sharing translated titles with others as you find them. Especially with young readers. It is so important to allow the readers these picture books are “intended for” to make their own decisions about them, and to react as they will without preconceived notions. I’ve personally found one of the best way to share a translated picture book with young readers (and a good number of adults, for that matter) is to sometimes let that detail go unmentioned until after they have read it. Then it can be pointed out that it was translated, where it is from, what they liked and noticed. If we gatekeepers don’t give an indication that a book is “weird” or “different” or “foreign” we give them power to react freely. Perhaps they will find something they like, pass it along and it will have a domino effect. It might not be earth-shattering, but the more awareness that is brought to the importance of diverse reading, including globally diverse reading, the more the publishing industry will (hopefully!) start to take note.
One last post. I honestly can’t believe it. What am I going to do with myself after this is all over? And what about all those rabbit holes? Another blog, another day? I’ll be back here Tuesday with the answer to some of those questions. And probably a whole lot more questions…
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