Some of my colleagues are surprised by how little personal…
“Some of my colleagues are surprised by how little personal interaction I've had with "my" authors, but I don't translate to go fishing for friends. Part of me suspects that they wouldn't like me, or that I wouldn't like them, which would inevitably get in the way of the mission. None of the theory built around translation matters to me anyway: much of the process, I find, is intuitive.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker values intuition over theory in translation and avoids forming friendships with authors, fearing mutual dislike could hinder work.
In simple terms: Intuition guides translation; friendships may complicate.
Trust your instincts, keep professional focus.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- literary translation
- collaborative projects
- career development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you rely more on intuition or formal methods?
- How might selective friendships affect translation quality?
Personal connections can enrich understanding but may also create bias.