The Missing Link: How Translation is Neglected in Literary Reviews
2025-04-21
This article examines the oversight of translated works in English-language literary reviews. The author surveyed reviews of translated literary fiction and poetry in prominent journals in 2023, finding many reviews lacking in attention to the translation itself. Many simply praise the translation as 'fluent' or 'elegant' or ignore it entirely. The author argues that good reviews should delve into the translator's choices, challenges, and understanding of the source text, illustrated with specific examples. Only then can readers fully appreciate the value of translated works and the art of translation.