Literature translated from Galician (1975-2020)

The dissemination of Galician literature refers to translations aimed at the international and national spheres. It follows dynamics that vary according to the target culture as well as socio-political circumstances.

Ever since the Galician language became co-official (1981), the importation of texts in Galician translation has gained momentum. The translation of Galician texts, on the other hand, was less intense and with a delayed impact, as it only became particularly visible from the mid-1990s onwards.

In the years 1975-2020, 70% of all translations of Galician works were produced for the Spanish publishing market (especially into Spanish and Catalan), more than half of which were aimed at children and young readers. On the other hand, in terms of exports to foreign cultures, children's and young people's literature only accounts for 36% of Galician works that cross borders. Of the total number of international translations, the majority are into English as the target language and mainly for the British market.

Galician cultural policies during this period went through four stages. During the first stage (1975-1983), after the end of Franco’s dictatorship, a period of important cultural development began. The Galician intelligentsia became aware that translation abroad was a driving force in terms of symbolic as well as economic capital. The second stage (1984-2005) encompasses the years of recovery of Galicia’s cultural life, highlighting the dynamising role of many associations and intellectuals concerned by the international dissemination of Galician literature. The third stage (2005-2009) is characterized by a set of institutional cultural policies that advocate a decisive outreach of Galician culture and identity abroad. In the fourth stage (2009-2020), strongly affected by the economic crisis of 2008, the strategies and subsidies for editorial translation implemented in 2007 have continued in part. The lack of international visibility of Galician culture persists, which is why several voices are calling for a reformulation of the channels for the outreach of Galician literature.

This entry deals with the evolutionary data of the translation of Galician literature since 1975. It reviews the main internationalization initiatives and strategies, as well as the cultural policies of promotion abroad.