The number of Italian books translated abroad quadrupled

Since the early 2000s, the number of Italian books translated abroad has quadrupled. The reasons are many, but it is mainly due to the increase in public contributions aimed at encouraging the dissemination of Italian literature in other countries through their translation. The measure has indeed worked, increasing the demands of foreign publishers. Although the numbers are still quite low – we are talking about almost 8,000 books, less than a tenth of all those published in a year in Italy – the increase in the number of translations abroad is still a very positive figure for the publishing sector in our country. And the main credit for this growth goes precisely to the public contributions made available each year by the State. Recently, these contributions have also increased, both to respond to the ever-growing demands of foreign publishers, fueled by the same virtuous circle established, and to promote Italy's visibility in view of its participation as the "guest country" at the most important book fair in the world, the Frankfurt Book Fair – which will be held next October. The most requested translations of Italian books abroad are those related to contemporary publications: for example, Fabbricante di lacrime by Erin Doom, the romance novel that was the best-selling book in Italy in 2022, from which the eponymous Netflix film is derived, was translated into Portuguese thanks to government funds; the same goes for the Korean translation of Storia by Elsa Morante. The countries where the interest in Italian books is greatest are Spain, France, Poland, Greece, Germany, and the United States; particularly the Hispanic market and the Eastern European countries are increasingly significant in this regard.

How State Contributions for Translations Work

Translations are generally paid based on the length of the books, the experience of the translator, and, for lesser-known languages, the scarcity of available professionals – the fees for each translation are usually in the order of thousands of euros. State contributions, which generally range from a minimum of 500 euros to a maximum of 5000, allow for the recovery of all or almost all the costs incurred in the translation process, which in turn reduces the numerous expenses surrounding the publication of a book – allowing for investment in other aspects, including its promotion. Requests for translations from foreign publishers now come consistently, and this has very positive repercussions for the sector, both for the economic impact it generates and for the greater visibility of Italian cultural production abroad. The result is also due to the ability of Italian publishers to select and nurture a wide range of Italian authors, even those who mainly refer to more common and appreciated genres abroad, including thrillers, romance novels, or comics. These are the types of books that are also most popular on TikTok, which in recent years has become the reality that most influences novel sales. But the reasons for the growth of Italian publishing abroad are probably also linked to the success of the "Neapolitan Quartet" by Elena Ferrante in the United States, which represents the richest and most influential book market, and for this reason, is a very important showcase.

A Few Facts About Italian Publishing Abroad

Public contributions for translations are provided by three different Italian Ministries, through specific agencies: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported this cause since 1990, the Ministry of Economy since 1989, while the Ministry of Culture since 2020. The first, in 2023, funded translations of Italian books for about 830,000 euros – in 2022 it was about 640,000, and the previous year 520,000. The Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Culture, on the other hand, together allocate about 700,000 euros each year. Although these are not enormous figures by the standards and expenses to which governments are accustomed, they are still fairly substantial budgets for the publishing sector, which notoriously operates with quite limited funds compared to other fields surrounding culture. 62 percent of translated Italian books are published in Europe, while only 3 percent reach the United States and Canada – markets that less frequently and more selectively welcome foreign publications. English remains the most promoted translation, due to its worldwide diffusion – when a book is translated into English, it usually gains relevance for other countries as well.