This module aims to help students to understand and critically reflect on current international literary translation market. Students will have the opportunity to engage with the literary traditions in different cultures and regions (e.g. UK, China and Europe) and in different settings (e.g. for children, in educational setting) as well as world literatures and understand the roles of different agents (e.g. translators, agents, publishers, critics and censors) in literary translation markets.

By the end of the module, students are able to:

Demonstrate their basic knowledge of the history of literary translation markets and the current trends in international publishing industry related to translation, including print, digital, and other media.

Critically evaluate the practices and standards in international literary translation market and understand their impact on translators' practices;

Critically reflect on the function of literary prizes, book fairs and festivals and the role they play in achieving the success of a translation both in commercial and noncommercial settings;

Conduct independent research and identify relevant regulations and policies related to the publication of literary translations in a specific region/country;

Assess the quality and fit of submissions of translation proposals (pitch) in a range of genres for publication in physical and digital forms.

(LO1) Demonstrate basic knowledge of the history of literary translation market and the current trends in international publishing industry related to translation, including print, digital, and other media.

(LO2) Critically evaluate the practices and standards in international literary translation market and understand their impact on translators' practice.

(LO3) Critically reflect on the function of literary prize, book fair and festival and the role they play in achieving the success of a translation both in commercial and non-commercial settings.

(LO4) Understand and be familiar with current scholarship on literary translation and publishing industry, as pertains to its specific (e.g. educational) uses and readership (e.g. children).

(S1) Conduct independent research and identify relevant regulations and policies related to the publication of literary translations in a specific region/country

(S2) Assess the quality and fit of submissions of translation proposals (pitch) in a range of genres for publication in physical and digital forms.

(S3) Communicate effectively with agents and publishers about a proposed translation project.

(S4) Apply knowledge of literary translation theories and the publishing industry to solve (potential) problems related to literary translation practice.

The majority of teaching will be delivered face-to-face on campus. Online delivery will be used to complement the on-campus delivery and where technology affords a better learning experience.

Weekly 1-hour lecture and 1-hour seminar

The weekly lecture usually provides an introduction to a specific translated literature market (geographical, audienceoriented or media specific) and discuss the various factors affected the translation practice and the production of the translations. The seminar following the lecture will be the place to continue the discussion and encourage students to analyse case studies and compare responses by different markets to a specific genre/translator/translation.

The module will cover a wide range of topics on the history and development of global market for translated literature, such as:

1. Introduction: translation and world literature
2. British literary translation market
3. Translation and Literature anthology: A German Perspective
4. Translation of Caribbean literature
5. Translation for children: translated children’s book market in China
6. Literature for a global audience: translating modern Chinese literature into English
7. Translating poetry in Spain
8. Adaptation for Italian screens: Noir fiction to Mafia films
9. Literary translation and language learning
10. AI and literary translation: Chinese online literature in translation
11. Pitch and copyright

The module also incorporates practical and authentic assessments (e.g. pitch and report) designed to make students engage with the current practices by literary translators, literary agents and publishers.