Sweden in the Eyes of the Southern European Reader: Translation and reception of Swedish fiction in Greece and Spain between 2000 and 2017

Scandinavia holds a prominent position in the field of translation, and Swedish is one of the most translated languages. In this study, we explore the scope of Swedish literature translated into both Greek and Spanish in recent years. There are many similarities between the two countries, especially regarding twentieth century history, and in particular as to their relations to Sweden, but at the same time there are linguistic and cultural differences. For this reason, we investigate the reception of Swedish literature in Greece and Spain, and whether it is possible to discern any tendencies concerning the traits of Swedish society and culture presented in the translated material. Our study shows that there is a greater variety of genres within the Spanish corpus than in the Greek one. The literature translated into Spanish includes more drama and poetry, whereas the translations into Greek are predominantly crime fiction. When it comes to the reception, there is a tendency, in both countries, to focus on the contrast between the idyllic scenery of Sweden and the dark side of society described in crime fiction.