Monday, July 11

Writing vs Translating

There appear to be some contrast differences between writing and translating.

In writing, we have all the freedom to express our ideas through a self-customized language style and grammar, not to mention the use of specific diction & tailor-made jargon. As long as our language is proper, grammatically-correct and meets particular standards, no one will stage a protest against us. We also reserve the right to bring and invite readers to come to our world, which is exceptionally wide and borderless. We can exercise our freedom to pursuade and convince other people of our opinion, and finally land on an agreement with us. In other words, we are the master and the architect of our piece of writing.

In translation, however, we have to stick to the original idea the writer would like to express and convey. We are inclined to be treated like a slave. However, there should be no complaint about it as it is the reason why we get paid. Being a translator, we have no option but follow wherever our master wants us to go, even if we have to go to hell. We have no bargaining position to decide on which places we are going to visit. Neither do we have the rights to intervene nor to edit our master’s piece of works.

Yet, I like being both the master and the slave, as they are my self-actualization and way of life.

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