World Literature, Translation, and the Case for Global Reading

Author(s)	Dr. Vincent Alva
Country	India
Abstract	World literature today has emerged as one of the most dynamic and inclusive fields of literary study. Moving beyond the confines of national and linguistic boundaries, it seeks to understand how literary works travel, transform, and acquire new meanings in different cultural contexts. David Damrosch’s seminal book What is World Literature? (2003) offers a compelling definition of the field, arguing that world literature is not a mere collection of great works from different nations, but rather a mode of circulation and reception that gives texts a new life across borders. This paper examines the meaning and significance of world literature in Damrosch’s sense, emphasizing the need for scholars and readers to engage with it as a living process. It also analyses the role of translation as the central force in shaping world literature and discusses practical approaches to entering the world-literary space responsibly and critically. Drawing on Damrosch and related theorists such as Pascale Casanova, Susan Bassnett, Emily Apter, and Itamar Even-Zohar, this article advocates a pedagogical and ethical model for global reading that respects cultural particularity while fostering universal dialogue.
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-03-25

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