Facts, Trends, Recommendations
Why "Map" Translations?This publication is the outcome of a two years-long mapping of translations from Georgian language into seven other languages published in the period 1991-2012. The text and the statistics included here is largely based on the work of researchers commissioned by the Georgian Publishers and Booksellers Association (GPBA), who have prepared complete bibliographies and analyses of translations from Georgian into Czech, English, French, German, Polish, Spanish and Swedish.
But why study and map translations at the first place? Translation is an indispensable means for the circulation of ideas and literary works across languages and cultures. It is also much more than simply a tool for transferring texts from one language into another; it is an art and a creative act in and of itself. Translations are key to the ongoing enrichment of any language and culture, but they also remind us that no culture and no language are closed units.
Translations play different roles at different historical moments, while the criteria for quality translations also differ historically. Choices about what gets translated and how it reaches its audiences are determined by changing social and economic circumstances, and by the activities of various intermediaries: authors, translators, publishers, agents, funding organisations, etc. In other words, choices as to what gets translated and published derive from a rich variety of interests – often divergent ones! – and considerations. Once published, translations take on a life of their own in the recipient language's context: reader receptions, their market success and the follow-ups of each book published are difficult to predict. The mapping of translation flows – in this case of Georgian texts and authors – aims at shedding light precisely on these barely discernible mechanisms that make a translation happen, and on the subtle consequences of any given translation on literary communication between two languages. Such studies are of particular importance for a language such as Georgian, with its rich tradition and its current non-privileged position as a source language for translation. For the first time ever, this collection of studies provides extensive bibliographical data on translations from Georgian after 1991 into seven recipient languages. Grounded on verifiable empirical data, these studies constitute an indispensable source for various interpretations and analyses. The studies make an attempt to offer an evidence-based look at the questions that are of concern for the whole literary, cultural and publishing community in Georgia:
Is Georgian literature known well enough to audiences in other countries? What are the mechanisms through which a translation and publication from Georgian happens? What promotional techniques work best and what can be done to improve the presence of Georgian culture abroad via translations?
The publication "Translations from Georgian after 1991. Facts, Trends, Recommendations" consists of the following chapters:
- INTRODUCTION /Medea Metreveli, Director of Georgian National Book Center/
ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION and a WORD OF CAUTION
- THE SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDIES ON TRANSLATIONS FROM GEORGIAN
- THE STUDIES' OUTCOMES: A SUMMARY FROM A BIRD'S EYE VIEW
- THE BOOK PLATFORM DECLARATION
Download in English
||Download in Georgian|
Here you can also download:
1. The full-text versions of all the seven studies on translations from
|2. The bibliographies are available in our searchable translations database here.|
|3. Power Point summary of data and conclusions from the 7 studies can be downloaded here in English|
4. Other useful studies on
translations from other countries (mostly in English language)
This publication is developed under the Book platform project of Next Page Foundation.The Book Platform project is funded by the European Union and is implemented in the frames of the Eastern Partnership Culture Programme.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
Georgian to Czech Translations Study Georgian to English Translations Study Georgian to French Translations Study Georgian to German Translations Study Georgian to Polish Translations Study Georgian to Spanish Translations Study Georgian to Swedish Translations Study
Press Release: Public Presentation and Discussion of the Study on Translations from Georgian after 1991