Books Quote by Andreï Makine
“(...) the translator of prose is the slave of the author and the translator of poetry is his rival.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Interview with Andreï Makine, 2005
Translating prose binds the translator to the author's voice, while translating poetry pits them against the original's rhythm and nuance.
In simple terms: Prose translation follows author; poetry translation challenges it.
Respect both fidelity and creativity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- publishing
- academic work
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance loyalty to the source with artistic expression?
- When is divergence justified?
Poetry may lose its musicality in literal translation.