Translingual creative writing in, and beyond, modern languages

Abstract

With a growing corpus of translingual literature embedded in Modern Language curricula and research, this article makes the case for the integration of translingual creative writing as a creative, (self-)reflexive and critical process. Through reflections from translingual writers and concrete writing prompts, it examines the role of creative writing in enhancing literary and linguistic competence, in affirming transnational trajectories, while discussing possible productive tensions between language accuracy, artistic ambition and personal expression. Translingual competence also opens up new critical perspectives, which are alert to cross-lingual and cultural dialogues: this article suggests that expertise developed in Modern Languages can provide stimulating frameworks for the practice and discipline of Creative Writing.