Feasibility Study for an EU Literary Translation Award.Pdf
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FEASIBILITY STUDY ON A LITERARY TRANSLATION PRIZE (no. EAC/35/2009) Final Report by Rüdiger Wischenbart Content & Consulting FEASIBILITY STUDY ON A LITERARY TRANSLATION PRIZE Final Report Vienna, October 29, 2010 1 Table of Content Table of Figures ........................................................................................................... 6 1. The Starting Point and the Aims of the Study...................................................... 8 1.1 Structure of the work process, and changes from offer and inception report ............................................................................................................ 9 2. Why a European Literary Translation Award? Setting the agenda .................... 10 2.1 Recent European key initiatives on literary translation ................................ 11 2.2 Surveying literary translations in the European Union ................................. 11 2.3 Close up on translations and the European book sector ............................. 13 2.3.1 Variations in translations between countries and languages ............... 13 2.3.2 The main actors responsible for the penetration of literary translations. ............................................................................................................ 19 2.3.3 The role and the impact of awards. ..................................................... 19 2.3.4 Further characteristics and dynamics relevant for the book sector and translation ............................................................................................ 21 2.4 The EU context - policies and instruments in the field of literary translation ................................................................................................... 21 3. Fundamental complexities and practical obstacles that a European Literary Translation Award must confront. ...................................................................... 24 3.1 Fundamental complexities of a European Literary Translation Award ......... 24 3.2 Practical obstacles of a European Literary Translation Award: Financing, promotion and cooperation partners. ......................................... 26 3.3 The potential perspectives and the eventual alternatives of a European Literary Translation Award .......................................................................... 28 3.3.1 Conceivable alternatives to a European Literary Translation Award. .. 28 4. Selected Award Models. Case Studies ............................................................. 30 4.1 Growth of Cultural Awards and Prize Competition ...................................... 30 4.2 Case Study I: The Man Booker Prize .......................................................... 32 4.3 Case Studies II: Literary Translation and Multilingual Awards ..................... 36 4.3.1 The Independent Foreign Fiction Award .............................................. 37 4.3.2 Europäischer Übersetzerpreis Offenburg/Hubert Burda Foundation ... 39 4.3.3 Übersetzerpreis der Kunststiftung NRW / Europäisches Übersetzer- Kollegium Straelen .............................................................................. 40 4.3.4 Karel Capek Medal and Aurora Borealis ............................................. 42 4.3.5 Best Translated Book Award/University of Rochester ......................... 43 4.3.6 Translation Award of the Union of Bulgarian Translators .................... 45 FEASIBILITY STUDY ON A LITERARY TRANSLATION PRIZE (no. EAC/35/2009) Final Report by Rüdiger Wischenbart Content & Consulting 4.3.7 Conclusions ......................................................................................... 46 5. The Literary Prize Matrix: Prize Parameters, Variables and invariables for a European Literary Translation Award ................................................................ 48 5.1 Description of the Prize Matrix..................................................................... 48 5.2 Variables and invariables for a European Literary Translation Award ......... 55 6. Mapping of stakeholders ................................................................................... 61 6.1 Criteria for inclusion ..................................................................................... 61 6.2 Collection of information .............................................................................. 61 6.2.1 Composition of the stakeholders’ map ................................................. 62 6.2.2 Publicly funded and international organisations .................................. 62 6.2.3 Policy and culture mediators (NGOs, professional bodies, networks and academia) ............................................................................................ 63 6.2.4 Market facilitators ................................................................................ 63 6.2.5 Individuals (authors, translators, publishers, intellectuals) ................... 63 6.2.6 Composition of stakeholders by scope of their activities ..................... 64 7. Stakeholders Perception - Summary and Analysis of the Online Survey .......... 66 7.1 Background ................................................................................................. 66 7.2 First Level Survey: Statistical Profile ........................................................... 67 7.3 First Level Survey: Analysis of Responses ................................................. 68 7.3.1 On the objective of the award .............................................................. 68 7.3.2 On criteria, quality and eligibility of the award ..................................... 70 7.3.3 On the model of the award .................................................................. 74 7.3.4 Other recommendations ...................................................................... 76 7.4 Second Level Survey: Analysis of Responses ............................................ 76 7.5 Stakeholder Interviews: Aggregated Results, Opinions and Suggestions ................................................................................................ 81 7.5.1 On the overall mission and aim of the award ....................................... 82 7.5.2 On the award model ............................................................................ 82 7.5.3 On criteria ............................................................................................ 83 7.5.4 Dissemination and promotion .............................................................. 83 8. Eligibility, criteria, categories and juries for the European Literary Translation Award ................................................................................................................ 85 8.1 Eligibility ...................................................................................................... 86 8.1.1 Eligibility of works and translators........................................................ 86 8.1.2 Eligibility of languages and countries of origin for the eligible translators and translated works. .......................................................................... 86 8.2 Criteria ......................................................................................................... 89 3 8.2.1 Professional excellence of the translation ........................................... 90 8.2.2 Singularity of the undertaking .............................................................. 90 8.2.3 Impact of a translation ......................................................................... 90 8.2.4 European contribution of a translation ................................................. 90 8.3 Categories ................................................................................................... 91 8.4 The juries .................................................................................................... 93 8.4.1 General jury procedures ...................................................................... 93 8.4.2 Jury procedures: The national level. .................................................... 93 8.4.3 Jury procedures: The European level. ................................................. 94 8.4.4 Assuring the reputation of the jury and the selection process ............. 95 9. Award Models ................................................................................................... 96 9.1 Model 01: The Grand Translation Prize. ...................................................... 96 9.2 Model 02: The translation “Oscar” ............................................................... 97 9.3 Model 03: A combined EU Literature and Translation Prize. ....................... 98 9.4 Comparative analysis and qualification of the three basic award models. ....................................................................................................... 99 9.5 Alternative approaches to the basic award models ................................... 100 9.6 The overall award process ........................................................................ 100 10. Visibility Measures and Award Ceremony ....................................................... 105 10.1 The award ceremony ................................................................................. 105 10.1.1 An annually rotating host country for the award ceremony. ............... 105 10.1.2 An award ceremony in always the same location .............................. 106 10.2 Partnerships with media and professional events ..................................... 107 10.2.1