Around The World in Eighty-Books

Rapid digitalization paired with the recent health crisis has simultaneously connected and divided people around the world. Moreover, it showed us we are all human, and all we need is solidarity. Each of us has a role to play in understanding nations and each other, and we can start by reading books.

Through the lens

Readers know very well that a book can transport us to many places. Language and culture are intertwined. That’s why when we read books; we learn a country’s customs and values. We may think digital media has streamlined this global understanding. However, reading books is a much deeper involvement.

Books in translation are the backbone of reading for several non-English speaking countries, in addition to their native language, of course. In the Philippines, English is our second language and a standard in all our media, including books. We do not particularly mind that a work of literature was initially in French, like Antoine de Saint Exupery’s “The Little Prince” or Portuguese like Paolo Coelho’s “The Alchemist.”

We are aware, of course, that the beautiful works we read are translated from Japanese, or Swedish, or German. However, we are less critical about it, unlike English-speaking countries who sometimes argue whether the Longfellow or the Mandelbaum translation is best for Dante’s “Divine Comedy.” For us, we just read what’s available.

A universal language indeed, English is the lens through which we see literature from beyond our seas. Moreover, it’s like a window that works from both sides. Several Filipino authors are internationally published, such as F. Sionil Jose and Jose Garcia Villa. Contemporary works like “The Mango Bride” by Marivi Soliven and “The Last Time I Saw Mother” by Arlene Chai are recognized and even awarded internationally.

Many books from non-English countries have been circulated internationally. However, some languages were only translated at the turn of the century. In 2017, Abdulai Sila’s “The Ultimate Tragedy” was the first novel from Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, to be translated into English. In 2018, Madagascar saw its first novel available internationally through Naivo’s work, “Beyond the Rice Fields.” The opening up of literary scenes from different places stimulates a broader cultural exchange.

One, eighty, or one hundred ninety-six

Reading is an immersion akin to travel. People are becoming curious and reflective at the same time. With a newfound interest, we gain an understanding of cultural differences on a personal level. We destroy our preconceived notions and biases and become more empathetic people.

The insights above are shared by Ann Morgan, an author from the United Kingdom. She realized that she had British and North American books only. So she started A Year of Reading the World in 2012, a project where she reads one novel or short story collection from 196 nations. Her project found the voice of countries with no translated or internationally available works beforehand. This discovery prompted volunteer writers to translate their country’s books for her.

While one book may not encapsulate a country entirely, it is enough to introduce us to a place on the other side of the world. Countless books take us to many places and cultures. We can learn about Africa from Chinua Achebe, Afghanistan from Khaled Hosseini, or Chinese-American culture from Amy Tan. We can read one book, or eighty, or more!

Pass the message

In translation, there are some challenges like grammatical gender and terms only found in specific languages. Like, passing messages, some parts may inevitably be lost. Even so, language is continuously evolving. New words and phrases like ‘next tomorrow,’ ‘situatedness,’ and ‘stan’ may correctly deliver a message.

As long as we have the yearning to communicate and listen, our language will develop, and our books will be bridges across nations. We may miss a few words today, but we gain so much more in return.