Literary translators for languages of low diffusion: market needs and training challenges in Slovenia

ABSTRACT The study focuses on literary translation between languages of low diffusion (LLD) from the perspective of a culture using such a language. The position of a language group in the world translation system determines the general flow of literary translation, but the specifics for the translation of an individual LLD may depend on a number of factors. In this paper, we explore the situation in the Slovene literary market as far as translators for LLD are concerned, in particular the ways LLD knowledge and literary translation training is acquired, and present possible solutions for the potential lack of translators for specific source languages. To answer the research questions, we surveyed and interviewed translators and editors, as well as looked into the existing opportunities for literary translator training in Slovenia, with a special interest in LLDs, collecting data through web pages of training and education institutions. Finally, we suggest the most viable options to improve the current situation for the most critical language combinations.