Which languages and literary traditions are included in Latin American literature?

Latin American literature primarily encompasses the national literatures of the Spanish-speaking countries of the Western Hemisphere. Additionally, it includes literature written in Portuguese, specifically within the context of Brazilian literature.1

Beyond these primary European languages, the field historically incorporates the literary expressions of the highly developed American Indian civilizations that existed prior to and during the Spanish conquest. Over time, Latin American literature has evolved to integrate diverse artistic traditions, including those of African origin, which have been woven into various narrative projects and literary forms.12

The development of this literature has been marked by a complex interplay of regionalist traditions—such as the novela de la tierra—and avant-garde movements that drew upon both Western literary techniques and indigenous or African cultural sources.2