Bae Quote by Deborah Smith
“I first came across her [Bae Suah] when I read some elderly male critic castigating her for 'doing violence to the Korean language', which of course was catnip to me, especially as I'd recently discovered Lispector doing pretty much the same to Portuguese.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Literary discussion, date unknown
The speaker notes that criticism of a writer’s experimental language can be alluring, especially when similar avant‑garde work is admired elsewhere.
In simple terms: Criticizing unconventional language can attract like‑minded readers.
Embrace bold linguistic experiments.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- translation projects
- literary criticism
- cross‑cultural studies
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does criticism shape your reading choices?
- What role does language play in cultural identity?
Such criticism may also marginalize innovative voices.