Suriname: History, Literature and Translation Issues

Abstract

Still largely unknown to the world public, the literature of our neighbor Suriname is a pleasant surprise, once the mishaps have been overcome to gain access to it. One of the reasons that can be attributed to the fact that the Surinamese literature remains a well-kept secret is that its production takes place in the lesser-known Dutch language, but to this are added other questions. Very well known in the former metropolis, it circulates little in translations around the world. This article aims to shed light on the possibility of establishing a dialogue between the Brazilian and Surinamese literary systems through the translation into Brazilian Portuguese of, among other works, Surinamese historical novels, especially those that have the diaspora as theme. Brazil and Suriname share a history of forced migration and reports on these migrations permeates the literary system of both countries. It is assumed that the Brazilian reader may be interested in the representation of these themes that are so familiar to him and that he is willing to read Surinamese literature translated into Brazilian Portuguese.