J. M. Coetzee as Latin American Writer: Simultaneous Translation—Foreignness— World Literature

Abstract

This paper explores the resonances between J.M. Coetzee’s work and Latin American literary traditions, questioning the boundaries of national and regional literary identities. By examining Coetzee's narrative strategies, ethical concerns, and metafictional devices, the study draws parallels with prominent Latin American authors such as Jorge Luis Borges and Juan José Saer. It investigates the extent to which Coetzee can be considered a "Latin American writer" not in terms of origin but through a shared commitment to literary experimentation, ethical reflection, and the interrogation of political and historical violence. The article ultimately argues for a transnational, comparative approach to world literature, positioning Coetzee as a writer whose affinities with Latin American traditions invite a rethinking of literary cartographies.