Literatures
Literatures, in the plural, refers to the diverse bodies of written works associated with particular languages, cultures, or regions, as well as to the scholarly field that treats these bodies as interconnected but distinct. The term emphasizes that every tradition produces its own canon, genres, and conventions, while inviting comparative and cross-cultural examination with other literatures.
In academic usage, literatures are studied within comparative literature, literary history, philology, and translation studies. Methods
Forms and genres include poetry, prose, drama, essays, religious and philosophical writings, and embodied oral traditions
Historically, literatures range from ancient traditions (Greek, Sanskrit, Chinese, and others) through medieval and early modern
Preservation and critique: libraries, archives, and digital repositories safeguard texts and enable access, while debates address