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Project Summary:

This study seeks to assess how literary translation can enhance an understanding of the value of linguistic duality in Canada and promote stronger links between Francophone and Anglophone Canadians.

Project Description:

This project builds from the premise that literary translations offer Anglophone and Francophone Canadians who are unable to read each other’s’ literary works in the original a way to transcend the linguistic barrier, and an opportunity they would otherwise not have to learn more about, and better appreciate each other’s culture. In this way, literary translations also contribute to the development of shared cultural knowledge that can only serve to strengthen links between Anglophone and Francophone Canadians, reinforce their understanding and recognition of each other’s culture, and further enhance the recognition of the value of linguistic duality. For literary translations to fulfil this potential, however, they must be accessible. Accordingly, the primary objective of this study was to provide a macro-structural assessment of the degree to which Anglophone and Francophone Canadians currently have access to each other’s significant literary works through translation. For the purposes of this study, literary works are considered significant if they are defined by each culture as works of lasting merit or ‘classics,’ are recognized as being of cultural and literary significance by their inclusion in university courses on English-Canadian or French-Canadian/Québécois literature, or are contemporary works whose value has been acclaimed by literary awards granted through peer evaluation. Through surveys of university professors, librarians, publishers and booksellers, the project also assessed factors that affect the circulation of literary translations in Canada

Project Type:
Funded

Project Role:
Principal Investigator

Country 1:
Canada

Country 2:

Country 3:
United States

Country 4:

Funder:
SSHRC-Heritage Canada Virtual Scholar

Year Project Started:
2006

Collaborator:

Collaborator Institution:

Collaborator Role: