Brazilian Literature in English: Cross-Cultural Dialogues and Polysystemic Perspectives

Brazilian literature, rich in cultural diversity and literary innovation, has increasingly gained recognition on the global stage. As Brazilian works are translated into English, they not only cross linguistic barriers but also enter into broader dialogues with global literary traditions, cultural narratives, and political discourses. This seminar invites scholars to explore the multifaceted ways in which Brazilian literature is being received, interpreted, and reimagined in the Anglophone world.
The seminar will focus on the role of translation as both a bridge and a filter, shaping the way Brazilian literature is perceived internationally. We will examine how translation mediates the representation of Brazilian identity, history, and culture, and how it influences the reception of Brazilian works within different literary markets. Papers may consider the translation of canonical authors, as well as contemporary voices in prose, poetry and other genres such as graphic novels, and how these translations contribute to or challenge existing literary canons.
We are particularly interested in contributions that delve into how translations of Brazilian literature into English navigate cultural specificities and universal themes, as well as those who investigate in what ways translators and publishers play a significant role in influencing the selection and presentation of Brazilian works in the global market. Other questions that may be addressed include the reception of Brazilian literature in English-speaking countries offering insight into broader transnational cultural dynamics, and the role of Brazilian literature in shaping global literary discourses and contributing to an understanding of the intricacies of Latin-American works.
This seminar seeks to foster interdisciplinary discussions that bring together perspectives from literary studies, translation studies, cultural studies, and comparative literature. We encourage papers that engage with theoretical frameworks, such as Even-Zohar’s Polysystem Theory, Pascale Casanova’s World Republic of letters, theories regarding ethics and manipulation in translation, by Bassnett, Venuti and others, as well as theoretical comparisons between scholars from different countries, such as the dialogue between Ezra Pound’s theory of poetry translation and Haroldo de Campos concept of transcriation. We invite scholars to contribute to a deeper understanding of how English language rewritings may contribute with new interpretations of the translated works, how the translation process may contribute to renew or recreate a local interest in the source culture and how Brazilian literature enriches and complicates the field of comparative literature, offering new insights into the global circulation of literary texts and ideas.
The seminar should be offered in one or two sessions of four participants each.