World Literature as a comparative practice

World Literature, as a comparative practice, transcends geographical and linguistic borders to explore the interconnectedness of human stories. Rather than viewing national literatures as isolated entities, it recognizes texts as part of a global conversation shaped by translation, adaptation, and circulation. Comparative Literature serves as both method and philosophy in this context—encouraging scholars to read across boundaries and uncover shared human experiences within diverse cultural frameworks.
Today, the study of World Literature demands a rethinking of canons and hierarchies. Who decides what constitutes “world” literature? How do colonial histories, translation politics, and publishing economies influence literary visibility? Comparative practice becomes crucial in addressing these questions, offering tools to trace dialogues between texts from the margins and the mainstream.

This edited volume invites contributions that critically examine the role of Comparative Literature in shaping World Literature. Topics may include transnational literary flows, translation and reception studies, intercultural poetics, and global literary networks.

In essence, World Literature as a comparative practice is not about universality alone—it is about relationality. It celebrates the dialogic, hybrid, and evolving nature of literature in a world defined by exchange and interdependence.