THE IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION ON LITERATURE

Globalization has had a huge impact on thinking across the humanities, redefining the understanding of fields such as communication, culture, politics, and literature. The impact of globalization on culture and literature is quite significant.  The discipline of literary studies is undergoing dramatic transformation. The term ‘Globalization’ is tentatively defined as the interconnectedness. Modern technologies such as satellite communications and World Wide Web have made drastic changes in dissemination of various forms of literature and quite relevantly information explosion has played a central role in distribution of social and cultural packages all around the globe.  People can even read novels, poetry, short stories, songs, and plays online now. A person in India can read Dostoevsky or Chekhov in his own language and vice-versa - a Russian student can look up Indian authors on the internet. With globalization, it is nearly impossible to stop the spread of ideas, for its very nature brings to light the inter-connectivity of all individuals.

          Translation has been a major shaping force in the development of world culture and no study of comparative literature can take place without it. The simultaneous increase in the global demand for translations in various fields again asserts the importance of such a medium. On the surface, translation conveys or transmits texts across boundaries and communicates across languages. The grand role of translation in the global patterns of communication is quite outstanding. Translation has become a more and more important tool to enhance understanding between cultures. In short, translation brings cultures closer and globalization has always been an important aspect of translation.

          It was initially predicted that globalization would have a particularly positive impact on literature for writers in smaller nations writing in less popular languages. Publishers and writers alike hoped that globalization might break down barriers of borders and language, opening up new markets in the process. Has that really happened? Or has globalization had a negative impact on writers and their ability to have their work published in new countries and translated into other languages? These questions demand serious discussion.