Literature knows no frontiers
Dutch literature is not an island. A growing number of Flemish and Dutch authors are being translated into other languages. The Taalunie encourages that by assisting the Support Network for Training of Literary Translators (Steunpunt Literair Vertalen). The Taalunie also encourages transfrontier discussions about literature and reading.Promoting reading proficiency
To ensure that Dutch literature continues to flourish, people must read and keep on reading. Some people read a lot, others never open a book. Why is that, and is it a problem? The Taalunie believes that answering these questions is vital to promoting reading proficiency, something that requires a lot of research and involves developing new materials. The Taalunie also focuses on more concrete projects, however; one of these is the Inktaap, a literary prize presented by school children. Secondary school pupils read the books nominated for three important prizes and choose their personal favourite. That book receives the Inktaap prize.Literature on the Internet
The new media, and the Internet in particular, can play a tremendous role in disseminating the culture of a language. There is enough information about writers, books and literary organisations on the Internet already, without the input of the Taalunie. What the Taalunie prefers to do is to cluster this information. It investigates what information is needed and how to make it easily accessible, and it consults potential users in policy-making, education, the sciences and the media.Digital library
A book doesn't need to be made of paper anymore. A growing number of literary texts lead a second life on the Internet, where they can be easily accessed by researchers and readers. The Digital Library of Dutch Literature (DBNL) is an important portal for them and it is supported by the Taalunie. The site not only contains novels, plays and poems, but also articles, reference works, reviews, biographies, portraits, and audio and video clips. The digital library also provides access to texts that are no longer in print.Results
Dutch-Flemish cooperation in the field of literature has produced excellent results in other areas. The following are just a few examples:- Under the auspices of the Taalunie, nine authors are working on a detailed history of Dutch literature in seven volumes. The first volume will be published in 2005.
- The Support Network for Training of Literary Translators organises summer courses and introductory courses for translators translating from Dutch into another language. It also runs courses for translators who translate literary works from another language into Dutch.
- Every three years, the Taalunie awards the Prijs der Nederlandse letteren to a Dutch-language author for his or her entire oeuvre. It is the most prestigious prize of the Taalunie and the only literary prize presented by the governments of the Netherlands and Flanders.
- The Taalunie Toneelschrijfprijs is awarded every year to the author of an original play in Dutch.
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Nederlandse Taalunie, 2000-2008 alle rechten voorbehouden
Wegwijzer – Colofon – Contact – Vrijwaring – Opmerkingen en reacties
Wegwijzer – Colofon – Contact – Vrijwaring – Opmerkingen en reacties
