Australia, with its rich and diverse multicultural society, is home to over 300 languages spoken across the country, yet much of its literary tradition has been shaped by English-language works. Despite the multilingual nature of Australian society, the representation of non-English voices in Australian literature remains limited, creating a gap in the national narrative. This article explores the cultivation of multilingual Australian literature, focusing on works written in languages other than English, including Indigenous languages, migrant languages, and regional dialects. These literatures reflect the lived experiences, histories, and cultural identities of communities often marginalized in mainstream literary discussions. However, the challenge lies in making these "invisible words" visible within the Australian literary canon.
This research aims to examine the underrepresentation of multilingual voices in Australian literature and understand the barriers that contribute to their marginalization. The article explores how Indigenous and migrant authors navigate the complexities of linguistic identity, cultural expression, and literary visibility. Indigenous authors, despite their deep connections to traditional languages, often face the dilemma of writing in English, or blending English with their native tongues, due to limited literary infrastructure for Indigenous languages. Similarly, migrant authors writing in languages such as Italian, Greek, Mandarin, and Arabic encounter challenges related to translation, cultural assimilation, and the preservation of linguistic authenticity.
Through an extensive literature review, case studies of multilingual authors, and interviews with authors and translators, this article uncovers the significance of multilingualism in enriching Australia’s literary landscape and fostering a more inclusive cultural dialogue. It also highlights the pivotal role of translation in bridging linguistic gaps and making these works accessible to a broader audience, while questioning the fidelity of translation in maintaining the nuances of the original text.
