National Translation Month: Queer Novels From Around the World

Every September, the world celebrates National Translation Month. This year, LGBTQ Reads shares a special list. The list features queer novels translated into English.

Books in translation are very important. They bring LGBTQ+ stories from many countries to new readers. These stories might otherwise never reach an English-speaking audience.

The list is organized by language of origin. This makes it easy to explore. Readers can discover queer voices from many different cultures and places.

One highlighted book is Fathers and Fugitives by S.J. Naudé. It was translated from Afrikaans by Michiel Heyns. The main character is Daniel. He is a worldly and urbane journalist. His story is rich and complex.

Afrikaans is one of many languages featured on the list. Other languages are also represented. This shows how wide and diverse queer literature really is around the world.

Translation work is often invisible. But translators do very important work. They carry the voice and emotion of the original author. They make sure the story feels real in a new language.

LGBTQ Reads also offers more resources. Readers can find lists of English books translated into other languages. There are separate lists for Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction. There is also a list for Adult fiction.

This is great news for non-English speaking LGBTQ+ readers too. They can also find queer stories in their own language. Representation matters in every language.

National Translation Month reminds us of something important. Queer experiences exist all over the world. Language should never be a barrier to finding your story.

Whether you are a long-time reader or just starting out, this list is for you. Pick up a translated queer novel this month. Support translators and queer authors from around the globe.