Berlin Quote by Daniel Kehlmann
“Usually the German translators do something terrible, especially with Tom Wolfe, which is that they make it local. So if the characters are from Harlem, the translators put all this Berlin slang into their mouths, and that's just terrible. You cringe when you read that. But there really is no good solution to the problem, except learning English.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2015
Translators often over‑localize dialogue, inserting regional slang that feels inauthentic and disrupts the original tone.
In simple terms: Bad local slang ruins reading experience.
Key Takeaway
Prefer original language or faithful translation.
Themes
translation
language
authenticity
Mood
frustrated
critical
Type
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- reading foreign literature
- learning English
- editing translations
Key Concepts
cultural adaptation
linguistic fidelity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can translators balance authenticity with readability?
- What strategies preserve voice without over‑localizing?
A Different Perspective
Localization can erase original nuance and alienate readers.
