Adversity Quote by Lydia Davis
“In some sense the text and the translator are locked in struggle - 'I attacked that sentence, it resisted me, I attacked another, it eluded me' - a struggle in which, curiously, when the translator wins, the text wins too.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Translation, Lydia Davis, 1995
Translation is a battle; when the translator overcomes the text, the text improves.
In simple terms: Struggle improves meaning.
Key Takeaway
Embrace difficulty to deepen understanding.
Themes
translation
language
creativity
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing
- learning foreign languages
- editing
Key Concepts
linguistics
interpretation
collaboration
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle resistant sentences?
- What does “winning” mean in translation?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming resistance may distort original intent.
![“I worked more intensively hour after hour when I was starting out [writing]. More laboriously. I'd say quantity is important as well as quality, and if you're not producing enough, make a schedule and stick to it.” quote by Lydia Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/29b/lydia-davis-3244_after-hours_i-worked-more-intensively-hour-after-hou_171566.jpg)
