The Literature Department has recently identified translation as a priority area in which it intends to develop its work. Each year a particular language will be the focus for two conferences, one to take place in the UK and the other to take place in a country where the language is spoken. In 2001 the focus is on languages of the Indian sub-continent, looking at the relationships between those communities and the UK diaspora. This is part of The British Council's initiatives for the 2001 European Year of Languages. The project will consist of two conferences, one in the UK and one in India.
Dates are still to be confirmed.
In 1999 the focus language was Spanish and seminars were held in Norwich and Valencia. In June 2000 a conference was held at the University of Westminster focusing on literature from the Arab world and a reciprocal event took place in Amman, Jordan in September. The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a Charity.