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The evolution of global literature: Why are today's readers exposed to such a diverse range of works?
The concept of global literature has long transcended the national literature to which it originally referred and has become the sum of the diverse works enjoyed by readers today. In the past, world literature referred mainly to classic works of Western European literature, but with the increase in cultural exchanges, this field has become increasingly international. Nowadays, readers can easily access the literary essence of different cultures through translated works.
The true significance of world literature lies in the dissemination and acceptance of its works, rather than in the collection of individual works.
Scholars generally believe that a work can go beyond its country of origin and enter the realm of world literature precisely because of its circulation during the translation process. The famous scholar David Damrosch once pointed out that "a work enters world literature through a two-fold process: first, it is read as literature; second, it enters a wider world, beyond its language and culture of origin." This view emphasizes The significance and impact of literary works on a global scale.
In addition, Venkat Mani also emphasized that the globalization of literature is mainly driven by the transfer of information, and this process has been accelerated by the development of print culture. He noted that the emergence of libraries enabled publishers and booksellers to print and sell affordable books, and that literate citizens could acquire these works and disseminate them to a wider readership.
Historical BackgroundJohann Wolfgang Goethe introduced the concept of world literature in several articles in the early nineteenth century. He spoke about the international dissemination and reception of European literary works, including those of non-Western origin. He predicted that in the future world literature would replace national literature and become the main mode of literary creation. He said in January 1827: "I am increasingly convinced that poetry is the common heritage of mankind, and that it has revealed its brilliance in hundreds of individuals in all times and places."
"National literature is now a relatively meaningless term; the age of world literature is approaching, and everyone must work to promote its advent."
Contemporary Understanding
After entering the 21st century, with the development of cultural studies, the scope of world literature has also undergone major changes. In his works, David Damrosch views world literature as a process of circulation and reception rather than a simple collection of works. His point of view emphasizes that only those works that can flourish through translation can be called world literature.
In the study of world literature, Franco Moretti proposed the method of "distant reading", which focuses on analyzing large-scale patterns revealed by publishing records and national literary histories. This perspective contrasts with the traditional close reading approach and demonstrates how to understand the globalization trend of literature from a macro perspective.
"National unity and narrow ideas are becoming increasingly impossible. The combination of several national and local literatures will form world literature."
World literature today includes not only classic works from all periods, but also contemporary literature created for a global audience. With the end of the Cold War and the continued globalization of the economy, the globalization of literature has accelerated again. Many large literary anthologies, such as the Norton Anthology of World Literature, have grown from Western European and North American works in 1956 to an expanded edition in 1995 that includes non-Western works, demonstrating the literary academic community's openness to world literature.
The scope and definition of world literature are still under ongoing discussion, and different scholars have different views. Some scholars argue that the process of translation often erases the linguistic richness of the original work and the political power it may have had in its original culture; others argue that even within the framework of world literature, the original language of the work and its The background should continue to maintain close attention.
All of this is closely related to the emerging cultural studies and the context of globalization, while the diversity of geography, language and culture prompts us to further explore global literature while also re-examining the meanings conveyed by various literary forms. So, faced with such diverse global literature, how should readers understand and respond to the new ideas and challenges brought about by these works?
