Introduction: Translating from Hungarian into English

Peter Sherwood

doi:10.5195/ahea.2021.431

Abstract

Introduction: The three papers in this cluster are very diverse as regards genre, focus and approach, but what their authors share is a passionate devotion to the promotion of Hungarian literature in the English-speaking world.

Highlights

Translating from Hungarian into English Peter SherwoodWhich is the most widely translated Hungarian classic? The answer is Imre Madách's (18231864) The Tragedy of Man, which has appeared in forty languages, placing it about sixty-third on the list of the world’s most translated books
We cannot be sure of the number of copies sold of these titles, but while it is estimated that the Harry Potter series has sold some 500 million copies worldwide and that at least as many people have heard of its author, J.K. It may genuinely be wondered how many in the Anglophone world have even heard of Madách, let alone read The Tragedy of Man, in any of its English versions
Beyond the well-known and considerable linguistic differences lie immense issues of culture, history, genre, and doubtless especially the increasing hegemony of the English language worldwide, which is coupled with the familiar Anglophone reluctance to engage with the literature of – especially – smaller nations

Summary

Introduction

The answer is Imre Madách's (18231864) The Tragedy of Man, which has appeared in forty languages (or to be more precise in forty versions in somewhat fewer languages, as there are at least four in English), placing it about sixty-third on the list of the world’s most translated books. We cannot be sure of the number of copies sold of these titles, but while it is estimated that the Harry Potter series has sold some 500 million copies worldwide and that at least as many people have heard of its author, J.K. Rowling, it may genuinely be wondered how many in the Anglophone world have even heard of Madách, let alone read The Tragedy of Man, in any of its English versions.

Results

Conclusion