Emigration Quote by Eva Hoffman
““For me, therapy is partly translation therapy, the talking cure a second-language cure. My going to a shrink is, among other things, a rite of initiation: initiation into the language of the subculture within which I happen to live, into a way of explaining myself to myself. But gradually, it becomes a project of translating backward. The way to jump over my Great Divine is to crawl backward over it in English. It's only when I retell my whole story, back to the beginning, and from the beginning onward, in one language, that I can reconcile the voices within me with each other; it is only then that the person who judges the voices and tells the stories begins to emerge.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The World According to Garp? (actually from her essay collection)??
Therapy translates personal experience into language, allowing self‑understanding and integration of inner voices.
In simple terms: Therapy helps you put feelings into words to understand yourself.
Key Takeaway
Use language to reconcile inner conflicts.
Themes
self‑discovery
language
therapy
Mood
introspective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- counseling sessions
- personal journaling
- group therapy
Key Concepts
psychology
narrative therapy
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner voices need translation for you?
- How does retelling your story change your perspective?
