Always Quote by Ken Liu
“My metaphor for translation has always been that translation is really a performance art. You take the original and try to perform it, really, in a different medium. Part of that is about interpretation and what you think the author's voice really is.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Verge, 2020
Translation is likened to performance, requiring reinterpretation in a new medium while preserving the author's voice.
In simple terms: Translation is performance art, adapting voice to new medium.
Key Takeaway
Treat translation as a creative performance.
Themes
translation
interpretation
creativity
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- literary translation
- film dubbing
- stage adaptation
- software localization
Key Concepts
Performance theory
voice fidelity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you preserve authorial intent while adapting?
- When does adaptation become a new work?
A Different Perspective
Balancing fidelity and artistic freedom can dilute original meaning.
