By Edward Nawotka

Today’s feature story suggests that English-language literature is at risk of being diminished because of writers’ and readers’ limited language skills in the English-speaking world. As part of that argument, he suggests that numerous titles are now being written specifically to cater to the translation market, further diminishing the richness of a work.

Smith also suggests that reading foreign languages is a matter of availability. Charity shops often have a better selection of foreign language books than bookstores. Along with tools like Google Translate as well as the widespread use of English as the international business language, the immediate need for native English speakers to learn a foreign language is diminished.

So, with that in mind, has reading a translated title ever prompted you to seek out the original and make an effort to read it?