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To translate, one must have a style of his own, for the…

“To translate, one must have a style of his own, for the translation will have no rhythm or nuance, which come from the process of artistically thinking through and molding the sentences; they cannot be reconstituted by piecemeal imitation. The problem of translation is to retreat to a simpler…” quote by Paul Goodman
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“To translate, one must have a style of his own, for the translation will have no rhythm or nuance, which come from the process of artistically thinking through and molding the sentences; they cannot be reconstituted by piecemeal imitation. The problem of translation is to retreat to a simpler tenor of one’s own style and creatively adjust this to one’s author.”

Paul Goodman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Effective translation requires a personal style; mere imitation lacks rhythm and nuance.

In simple terms: Translate with your own voice, not copy others.

Key Takeaway

Develop a unique voice when translating.

Themes

translation creativity style

Mood

analytical inspired

Type

instructional creative

When to use this quote

  • literary translation
  • academic work
  • personal writing
  • language learning

Key Concepts

linguistics artistic expression authorship

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can you balance personal style with fidelity?
  • What techniques help you find your translation voice?
A Different Perspective

A unique style may clash with the original author's intent.

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