Journals

Much theorisation around world literature hangs on the translation and circulation of novels and of books in general. However, our research shows that, partly for material reasons, magazines and short genres have been much more significant for the visibility and circulation of world literature, at least in the regions of our project.

Already in the 19th century, journals published translations of “Eastern” poetry and facilitated relay translations and loops of transnational circulation across Europe and between Europe and the rest of the world. Through a “cut-and-paste” logic, early-twentieth century journals reproduced snippets and notices about literatures beyond the limits of empire; such as addressing the new interest in Asia. In the 1960s, journals like Lotus (published in Arabic, French, and English) made African literatures visible to an unprecedented degree. It was in journals like Souffles/Anfas that Moroccan intellectuals sought original multilingual ways to overcome the divide between Arabic and French. Even now, it is internet journals like Words Without Borders that promote translations and genres beyond the Anglophone novel.