---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My job is to interpret. I'm an…"
description: "\"My job is to interpret. I'm an interpreter. I can add things and bring unique qualities to the role that the writer may not have thought of, but someon..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/kevin-spacey-931_add_my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interprete_1773067.png"
---

#  My job is to interpret. I'm an interpreter. I can add…

![“My job is to interpret. I'm an interpreter. I can add things and bring unique qualities to the role that the writer may not have thought of, but someone else created the fundamental idea.” quote by Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/kevin-spacey-931_add_my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interprete_1773067.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/kevin-spacey-931_add_my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interprete_1773067.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/kevin-spacey-931_add_my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interprete_1773067.png)

> “My job is to interpret. I'm an interpreter. I can add things and bring unique qualities to the role that the writer may not have thought of, but someone else created the fundamental idea.”

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The interpreter adds personal flair while respecting the original creator’s ideas, highlighting collaboration between interpretation and authorship.

**In simple terms:** Interpretation adds personal touch while honoring original ideas.

Key Takeaway

Respect the source, add your voice.

Themes

interpretation collaboration creativity

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

professional philosophical

When to use this quote

- live translation
- theatrical performance
- multilingual projects
- creative writing

Key Concepts

authorship artistic license communication

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you decide what to add?
- When is it okay to deviate from the original?

A Different Perspective

Balancing originality with fidelity can be challenging.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Interpreter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interpreter/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [I'm an actor and my job is to interpret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-madden/i-m-an-actor-and-my-job-is-to-interpret/)

[Richard Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-madden/)

> [Your ego is an avid interpreter. It is so quick to interpret events as 'bad' or 'good,' 'wrong' or 'right.' It never fails to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-holden/your-ego-is-an-avid-interpreter-it-is-so-quick-to-interpret-events-as/)

[Robert Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-holden/)

> [Those who wish to seek out the cause of miracles, and to understand the things of nature as philosophers, and not to stare at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-who-wish-to-seek-out-the-cause-of-miracles-and-to-understand-2/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The role of the writer is not simply to arrange Being according to his own lights; he must also serve as a medium to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/the-role-of-the-writer-is-not-simply-to-arrange-being-according-to/)

[Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/)

> [There's a whole language out there, and one's role as a writer is to stumble around in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ciaran-carson/there-s-a-whole-language-out-there-and-one-s-role-as-a-writer-is-to/)

[Ciaran Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ciaran-carson/)

> [I think my role is as a writer, especially, and then also as a speaker, an organizer, and an entre- preneur of social change.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/i-think-my-role-is-as-a-writer-especially-and-then-also-as-a-speaker/)

[Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/)

> [The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-role-of-a-writer-is-not-to-say-what-we-all-can-say-but-what-we/)

[Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/)

> [“I think the revolutionary role of a writer is to make language that makes coalition possible, language that makes us see things in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem-lynn-gilbert/i-think-the-revolutionary-role-of-a-writer-is-to-make-language-that/)

Gloria Steinem Lynn Gilbert

> [In Israel, the role of the writer is dictated by the language in which you write. Writers see themselves as cultural prophets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etgar-keret/in-israel-the-role-of-the-writer-is-dictated-by-the-language-in-which/)

[Etgar Keret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etgar-keret/)

> [“The role of a writer is not to say what we can all say, but what we are unable to say.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-role-of-a-writer-is-not-to-say-what-we-can-all-say-but-what-we/)

[Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/)

> [The role of the writer is not to say what we can all say, but what we are unable to say. Most of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-role-of-the-writer-is-not-to-say-what-we-can-all-say-but-what-we/)

[Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/)

> [We should let Scripture interpret us more than we interpret Scripture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/we-should-let-scripture-interpret-us-more-than-we-interpret-scripture/)

[Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/)

> [As an artist, I want to interpret my feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-bakshi/as-an-artist-i-want-to-interpret-my-feelings/)

[Ralph Bakshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-bakshi/)

> [In some ways, what I learned is that you can take a character and breathe with them, and its up to the audience to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aden-young/in-some-ways-what-i-learned-is-that-you-can-take-a-character-and/)

[Aden Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aden-young/)

> [The first principle of cognitive therapy is that all your moods are created by your 'cognitions,' or thoughts. A cognition refers to the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/the-first-principle-of-cognitive-therapy-is-that-all-your-moods-are/)

[David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/)

## More by Kevin Spacey

> [Its extremely dangerous to compare anyone else to Shakespeare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/its-extremely-dangerous-to-compare-anyone-else-to-shakespeare/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [Theres nothing like standing in a place and wanting nothing so much as to change but simply not being able to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/theres-nothing-like-standing-in-a-place-and-wanting-nothing-so-much/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [Clarence Darrow was a unique and courageous man. Several of my favourite actors have played Darrow... Henry Fonda, Orson Welles and Spencer Tracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/clarence-darrow-was-a-unique-and-courageous-man-several-of-my/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [If you look back through history in the United States, there have been very few landslide elections. Half the country always voted for someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/if-you-look-back-through-history-in-the-united-states-there-have-been/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [I'm a relatively ugly character who's done pretty damn well in film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/i-m-a-relatively-ugly-character-who-s-done-pretty-damn-well-in-film/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [The audience has spoken, they want stories. They're dying for them. They're rooting for us to give them the right thing and they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/the-audience-has-spoken-they-want-stories-they-re-dying-for-them-they/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [I've taken the experiences that I've had in the theatre and applied them to film and television and now games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/i-ve-taken-the-experiences-that-i-ve-had-in-the-theatre-and-applied/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [I believe this: If an actor wants a role or wants to work with somebody, then you do everything within reason to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/i-believe-this-if-an-actor-wants-a-role-or-wants-to-work-with/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [Fundamentally, I like to accomplish things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/fundamentally-i-like-to-accomplish-things/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [The more shows that are produced, the more writers are hired, producers are hired, actors are hired, directors are hired, it means the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/the-more-shows-that-are-produced-the-more-writers-are-hired-producers/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [The less you know about me the easier it is to convince you that I'm the character on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/the-less-you-know-about-me-the-easier-it-is-to-convince-you-that-i-m/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [At the end of the day, people have to respect people's differences. I am different than some people would like me to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/at-the-end-of-the-day-people-have-to-respect-people-s-differences-i/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [ \[Washington, DC\] feels like you're watching performance art. A lot of the time. I don't believe them, I don't believe what they say, I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/washington-dc-feels-like-you-re-watching-performance-art-a-lot-of-the/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [For years, particularly with the advent of the Internet, people have been griping about lessening attention spans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/for-years-particularly-with-the-advent-of-the-internet-people-have/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [If you wanna compete, you've got to get into the original content game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/if-you-wanna-compete-you-ve-got-to-get-into-the-original-content-game/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

[Explore all 327 Kevin Spacey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

## More Add quotes

> [Most marriages don't add two people together. They subtract one from the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-fleming/most-marriages-don-t-add-two-people-together-they-subtract-one-from/)

[Ian Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-fleming/)

> [Friendship, "the wine of life," should, like a well-stocked cellar, be continually renewed; and it is consolatory to think, that although we can seldom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/friendship-the-wine-of-life-should-like-a-well-stocked-cellar-be/)

[James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/)

> [Life as we know it is fundamentally unsatisfying. I think most folks feel this to be true. They know that a life of aimless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-yates/life-as-we-know-it-is-fundamentally-unsatisfying-i-think-most-folks/)

[Michael Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-yates/)

> [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/)

[Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/)

> [Writing adds up to the conscience of our times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/writing-adds-up-to-the-conscience-of-our-times/)

[Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/)

> [A 'modern' man has nothing to add to modernism, if only because he has nothing to oppose it with. The well-adapted drop off the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-canetti/a-modern-man-has-nothing-to-add-to-modernism-if-only-because-he-has/)

[Elias Canetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-canetti/)

> [Observation and theory get on best when they are mixed together, both helping one another in the pursuit of truth. It is a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/observation-and-theory-get-on-best-when-they-are-mixed-together-both/)

[Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/)

> [I may add that we have more than once stated our willingness to conclude nonaggression pacts with the states neighboring our own!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/i-may-add-that-we-have-more-than-once-stated-our-willingness-to/)

[Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/)

> [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [New generations of humans inherit the acquired discoveries of generations past, allowing cosmic insight to accumulate without limit. Each discovery of science therefore adds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/new-generations-of-humans-inherit-the-acquired-discoveries-of/)

[Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/)

> [Thirty days is just about the right amount of time to add a new habit or subtract a habit - like watching the news…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cutts/thirty-days-is-just-about-the-right-amount-of-time-to-add-a-new-habit/)

[Matt Cutts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cutts/)

> [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/)

[John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/)

> [The Greeks said grandly in their tragic phrase, 'Let no one be called happy till his death;' to which I would add, 'Let no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/the-greeks-said-grandly-in-their-tragic-phrase-let-no-one-be-called/)

[Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/)

> [Mostly we just add to the piles of rainbow glass that's been blown off the exteriors of the cany-colored buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/mostly-we-just-add-to-the-piles-of-rainbow-glass-that-s-been-blown/)

[Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/)

> [Global is a unifying bond for people. Once they get outside their own heads and their own communities and see themselves in a broader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-calvin/global-is-a-unifying-bond-for-people-once-they-get-outside-their-own/)

[Kathy Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-calvin/)

Browse all 2,710 Add quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "My job is to interpret. I'm an interpreter. I can add things and bring unique qualities to the role that the writer may not have thought of, but someone else created the fundamental idea.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Kevin Spacey"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interpreter-i-can-add-things-and-bring/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Add"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interpreter-i-can-add-things-and-bring/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/kevin-spacey-931_add_my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interprete_1773067.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/kevin-spacey-931_add_my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interprete_1773067.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/kevin-spacey-931_add_my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interprete_1773067.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“My job is to interpret. I'm an interpreter. I can add things and bring unique qualities to the role that the…” — Kevin Spacey",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Kevin Spacey",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "My job is to interpret. I'm...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interpreter-i-can-add-things-and-bring/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/my-job-is-to-interpret-i-m-an-interpreter-i-can-add-things-and-bring/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
