Problem regarding novel I wrote in Spanish

[DionysusWriter]

The thing is, I wrote a novel in Spanish because it's my native language. It deals with themes specific to Spain, where I live. When I published it on Spanish-language novel websites, I didn't get many views. I'm tempted to translate it into English and publish it here, but I feel the "context" wouldn't be as well appreciated because people might not be familiar with certain aspects of Spain, for example.

 

[Hannah4Chan]

My native language is Portuguese. I publish my novel on various platforms, but the number of views between the English and Portuguese versions is drastically different. The Portuguese version barely reaches 5,000 views, while the English version has almost 200,000. So I recommend that you try translating and only keep a few words in Spanish, like place names, neighborhoods, food, etc.

 

[Cipiteca396]

but I feel the "context" wouldn't be as well appreciated because people might not be familiar with certain aspects of Spain, for example.

I don't think you should worry about that. Fantasy is the vast majority of what's popular on SH, so having unfamiliar culture and such is basically par for the course. At worst, you'll want to explain the context in ?️‍?️spoilered author's notes for anyone who's curious.

 

[Eldoria]

Use an English dictionary (such as an Oxford dictionary) to find appropriate equivalents. Translations can be more rigid and not reflect the context of your native language (e.g., English idioms and poetry differ from those in other languages).

But, the most important thing is to convey the essential elements of your story. Almost no story can transfer 100% of the author's understanding to the reader's. What the author understands may differ from what the reader understands. However, with good narrative delivery, the barriers to understanding can be reduced. And perhaps your fiction will leave an impression on the reader.

 

[DionysusWriter]

To provide context: The novel deals with the issue of immigration in Spain and unaccompanied minors (who are often actually false minors).
It's more of a normal novel, not fantasy; I don't know if Scribble is the best place, even in English.