Society & Culture / Literary Studies & Writing / Comparative Literature & Translation

How a Flawed Translation Made Borges a World Literature Icon? (France's Secret Role)

La literatura latinoamericana en versión francesa

Think you know how Latin American literature conquered the world? Think again. This video dives into a shocking academic discovery: the French translation of Borges' 'Fictions'—the very book that launched him into global fame—was riddled with laughable errors. From mistranslating 'shoulder' as 'man' to turning Uruguayan historical heroes into 'Arabic numerals,' this study reveals the absurdity behind literary canon formation. We'll explore the hidden network of French editors, translators, and cultural agents who, through secret archives and private letters, shaped how the world reads Latin American authors. Based on the 2022 book 'La literatura latinoamericana en versión francesa' by the MEDET LAT project, this video uncovers the gatekeepers, the power of mistranslation, and the real story behind the 'World Republic of Letters.' You'll never look at a translated book the same way again.