There was - there still is - a big shortage of good…
“There was - there still is - a big shortage of good Chinese-English literary translators. So for two years in London, I was stuck waiting, not writing, with several Chinese books I couldn't get translated. That's when I decided to write in English, since I had been living here and had decided to reconstruct my life here. Even if I wrote in broken English, it was better than getting bored and weary and bitter on the long queue of authors waiting to be translated by a stranger.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A lack of skilled translators forces writers to switch languages, sacrificing nuance for progress.
In simple terms: Translator shortage pushes writers to write in English.
Key Takeaway
Consider language choice strategically.
Themes
translation
language
career
creative compromise
literary markets
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
creative
practical
When to use this quote
- publishing
- career transition
- writing in a second language
Key Concepts
bilingualism
cultural exchange
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the trade‑offs of writing in a non‑native language?
- How can translators be better supported?
A Different Perspective
May dilute cultural authenticity.