Matter of fact Quote by Gregory Rabassa
““The translator, we should know, is a writer too. As a matter of fact, he could be called the ideal writer because all he has to do is write; plot, theme, characters, and all other essentials have already been provided, so he can just sit down and write his ass off. (p. 8)””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Translator’s Handbook, 1995
A translator’s role is to recreate the original work, using the writer’s provided elements as a foundation.
In simple terms: Translators rewrite using existing story.
Key Takeaway
Focus on faithful recreation.
Themes
translation
writing
creativity
Mood
thoughtful
respectful
Type
literary
practical
When to use this quote
- publishing
- language learning
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
literary theory
authorship
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a translator balance fidelity and fluency?
- What responsibilities does a translator hold?
A Different Perspective
Original nuance may be lost in translation.
