AustLit

This exhibition is the result of undergraduate research for the Internship course (ENGL3020) at The University of Queensland.

Translation expands our ability to explore through literature the thoughts and feelings of people from another society or another time… It expands and deepens our world, our consciousness, in countless, indescribable ways.

Edith Grossman

Translation allows readers to gain in-depth knowledge about other cultures and experience different viewpoints on diverse issues and topics, including race, history and gender, which often challenges and questions their personal perceptions and values. This supports the development of tolerance and transparency within societies, providing a gateway to discussions about controversial but mainly cultural issues. For writers, translation is a way to increase their market of potential readers and therefore, English is the most sought-out language to be translated into – despite the low number of translations in English speaking countries compared to those in Europe or Latin America (Grossman, 2010).

Australian literature has been recognised as ‘high-quality international literature’ through its many translations, which are frequently translated into German (Haag, 2009). Therefore, this exhibition focuses on the influence and reception of Australian literature within the German culture. It will look at the importance of translating Children's literature, Indigenous literature and pop-culture, using three known Australian books as case studies; Possum Magic by Mem Fox, Rabbit Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington and Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden.

The perception of Australia and Australian literature within Germany has been ever-changing from early translations until now. This closely relates to the depiction of Australia by German publishers through a publication’s ‘surround text’ – book covers, blurbs and recommendations. Oliver Haag’s study of how German publishers have imagined their readers of Australian literature discusses two main ways in which Australian literature is portrayed; neutral and Australia-specific. He describes neutral literature as those translations that are not immediately identified as Australian literature and Australian-specific literature as those translations that are marketed as Australian and/or are about Australia. Australia-specific literature is often related to themes of red-coloured landscapes and iconic Australian landmarks or buildings, such as the Sydney Opera House or Uluru.