Revisiting the South African book market: towards a change of tongue?

Abstract

In this overview of the South African book market, based on publications until July 2006, the publication of novels is divided into three language categories: English, Afrikaans and African languages. As regards the last two categories, a multilingual book market with the possibility of being translated into the world’s most important literary languages, would be considered ideal. Historical, social and personal reasons for choosing a language other than the writer’s mother tongue are investigated. A tendency amongst writers from these language groups to write or to begin writing in English  solely for financial reasons is also investigated.