Industry sources suggest that globally, translated literature accounts for only three percent of books published in English; though Jo Lusby, Managing Director of Penguin China, says that Chinese to English translation now comprises the largest share of that small piece of pie.
I can't see how this could be true. The actual statistic is that translations account for 3% of books, not 3% of literature. That means we're including cookbooks, memoirs, and Japanese manga against all fiction and poetry from all languages and eras. The number of Chinese novels published each year can barely keep up with Stieg Larsson or new versions of Dante, let alone the serial releases of Baki - Son of Ogre.
Comments
Industry sources suggest that globally, translated literature accounts for only three percent of books published in English; though Jo Lusby, Managing Director of Penguin China, says that Chinese to English translation now comprises the largest share of that small piece of pie.
I can't see how this could be true. The actual statistic is that translations account for 3% of books, not 3% of literature. That means we're including cookbooks, memoirs, and Japanese manga against all fiction and poetry from all languages and eras. The number of Chinese novels published each year can barely keep up with Stieg Larsson or new versions of Dante, let alone the serial releases of Baki - Son of Ogre.
Other than that--nice write-up!
Lucas
Lucas Klein, August 11, 2012, 2:53p.m.