By Edward Nawotka

In today’s interview with literary translator Edith Grossman, she says that most large English-language publishers aren’t interested in translations because they “make their decisions under enormous pressure to be profitable.” This brings us back to the oft-quoted figure that a mere three percent of books in English are translations.

But Grossman goes on to say that “Translation expands and deepens our world, our consciousness, in countless indescribable ways.” The suggestion is that translation makes us better people, because it opens our minds and allows a better understanding between cultures.

Do you believe this is true? If so, how has it altered your understanding of world culture? Is the transformative power of literature overstated?