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 tenor of one’s own style and creatively adjust this to one’s author.”
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.
Develop a unique voice when translating.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- literary translation
- academic work
- personal writing
- language learning
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you balance personal style with fidelity?
- What techniques help you find your translation voice?
A unique style may clash with the original author's intent.