Narratives Across Borders: Cultural Identity, Transnational Voices, and Pakistani Images in Global World Literature

Abstract

World literature has emerged as a vital framework for understanding the circulation of literary texts beyond national, linguistic, and cultural boundaries. Within this global literary exchange, representations of cultural identity and national images play a crucial role in shaping how regions and communities are perceived worldwide. This article examines how Pakistani images and identities are constructed, negotiated, and reimagined in global world literature through transnational narratives. Drawing upon postcolonial theory, world literature studies, and translation discourse, the study analyzes how Pakistani writers and global authors engage with themes of migration, hybridity, diaspora, history, and cultural memory. The article argues that Pakistani literature, particularly when mediated through English and translation, occupies a complex position within world literature—simultaneously resisting stereotypical representations and contributing to global literary conversations. By foregrounding transnational voices and cultural intersections, this study highlights how Pakistani narratives challenge monolithic identities and participate in the evolving dynamics of global literary production.