What is the issue?
Canadian writers write in many more languages than French, English, and Indigenous languages (First Nations, Inuit or Métis). This linguistic diversity and safeguarding of threatened languages are extremely important to the future of Canadian literature. TWUC urges public funders of Canadian writing to increase their offerings for translation into English, French and Indigenous languages from any and all languages. In this way, Canadian writers can find readers in the traditional book marketplace in Canada no matter the language of origin of their writing.
What TWUC is doing
TWUC has met with national and provincial arts funding agencies to encourage increased access to translation funding as part of all creation grant programs. What’s more, we encourage publisher-focused funding to increase their own translation components in order to encourage Canadian publishers to seek out and contract with authors writing in all languages in Canada.
What you can do
Seek out and access translation funding for your work whenever it is available. Contract with a professional translator to help bring your work to the fuller Canadian marketplace.
Further reading
- Canada Council for the Arts translation funding
- Literary Translators Association of Canada
- Book Brunch: Ten Reasons to Value Literary Translation
Stronger Together
TWUC’s advocacy is most effective as the collective voice of Canada’s professional authors. If you are not already a member of TWUC and are working as a writer, consider joining the Union. If you wish to support TWUC’s advocacy outside of membership, consider donating to the Union.
TWUC’s advocacy is most effective as the collective voice of Canada’s professional authors. If you are not already a member of TWUC and are working as a writer, consider joining the Union. If you wish to support TWUC’s advocacy outside of membership, consider donating to the Union.
