One of the things I love about translation is it…
“One of the things I love about translation is it obliterates the self. When I'm trying to figure out what Tu Fu has to say, I have to kind of impersonate Tu Fu. I have to take on, if you will, his voice and his skin in English, and I have to try to get as deeply into the poem as possible. I'm not trying to make an equivalent poem in English, which can't be done because our language can't accommodate the kind of metaphors within metaphors the Chinese written language can, and often does, contain.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Translation demands the translator to fully inhabit another poet’s voice, erasing personal ego to convey deep meaning.
In simple terms: Translation requires deep immersion in another’s voice.
Key Takeaway
Immerse fully, set aside self.
Themes
translation
empathy
identity
creativity
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- poetry analysis
- language learning
- cross‑cultural communication
- creative writing
Key Concepts
literary theory
voice
cultural mediation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does losing self affect authenticity?
- Can true equivalence ever be achieved?
A Different Perspective
The translator’s own voice may still subtly influence the result.