Translators Quotes

Translation is that which transforms everything so that nothing changes.

Either the translator leaves the author in peace, as much as is possible, and moves the reader towards him: or he leaves the reader in peace, as much as possible, and moves the author towards him.

We are all mediators, translators.

I have a tendency to trust translators, mainly because nobody does it for the money.

A satisfactory translation is not always possible, but a good translator is never satisfied with it. It can usually be improved. (Newmark)

A translator is to be like his author; it is not his business to excel him.

Writer's make national literature, while translators make universal literature.

It is only logical for the translator to become a part of the world of the author.

Writers rush in where publishers fear to tread and where translators fear to tread

The translator constantly learns new things about himself.

I am not one of those translators who think that working closely with the writer will yield the best translation.

What is the task of the translator? I think the task depends on the book and on the translator.

For me, every translation is a new book, with the translator inevitably broadening the meaning of the original book in any translation.

I've heard of translators collaborating closely with their authors, sometimes even living with them for a while, but that's not me.