Role of Translation in the Globalization of Literature: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Translation plays a pivotal role in the globalization of literature by enabling the exchange of ideas, narratives, and cultural values across linguistic and geographical boundaries. This paper examines the opportunities and challenges of literary translation in the context of the globalization process. Based on a literature survey of various sources and interviews with professional translators and academics, the study reveals opportunities such as translator’s role as a cultural and knowledge brokers, its capacity to amplify marginalized voices, and its function within the global publishing industry. Nevertheless, it also defines significant challenges including linguistic barriers, cultural differences, ethical issues, and biases favoring dominant world languages such as English. The analysis underscores the growing adoption of hybrid translation models that integrate AI tools with human expertise. To address these challenges and enhance the functions of translation in shaping the diverse global literary space, it is suggested to utilize methods like collaborative translation processes, the use of ethical codes, and the emphasis on the profession’s diversity. The study concludes that translation is not only a technical process but also a transformative cultural act that sustains linguistic diversity and shapes a more complete global literary space.