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The Problem of English Language Export Fiction in Europe

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Abstract

Translations from the English language domain are reportedly declining, thus suggesting that there is a counter trend in publishing where Anglophone markets are coexisting more favourably alongside small-nation book trades. This article, however, argues that the threat of globalization is growing, with readers bypassing translations of fiction titles and consuming English language editions in their original form. This paper focuses on the relationship European fiction markets have with English language fiction. Initially, a summary of the debate surrounding the prevalence of English language texts in Europe will be presented. Discussion then moves on to consider three book market perspectives on the role of English language fiction in Europe: the UK, Sweden and France. Empirical research includes a range of original interviews with publishing experts from each of the three book markets and seeks to determine whether translations from English are diminishing while consumption of English language export editions is increasing.

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Notes

  1. These statistics must be treated with some caution as this book market data has not be classified to focus solely on fiction exports but what can be deduced is that fiction originating from the UK is a strong force in Europe.

  2. All quotations without citations are taken from original interviews.

  3. Perhaps, in part, due to the Nobel laureates originating from these countries.

  4. The second most prominent import market for France was Japan with 684 titles being translated.

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  1. Research Fellow, School of Computing, Edinburgh Napier University, Merchiston Campus, Edinburgh, EH10 5DT, UK

    Stephanie Craighill

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  1. Stephanie Craighill
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Correspondence to Stephanie Craighill.

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Craighill, S. The Problem of English Language Export Fiction in Europe. Pub Res Q 31, 91–101 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12109-015-9400-0

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