Translators Quotes

“When you entered the cavern of another language, you could leave certain people behind, for they had no interest in following you in. You could, by way of translation, emerge from the cavern and share your adventures with them. You didn’t have to be an intellectual in a black beret smoking clove cigarettes to be a translator, not at all. You could become one in your blue flannel pajamas, your face smeared with Clearsil. You did.”
― Elizabeth Mckenzie, The Portable Veblen

“They say nothing!" the little captain raged. "They only putrid gunner, ship engineer. I, Ba-Karkar, must speak for all!"

Ogu kicked him again. "Then ask what kind help Asahel wants, untranslatable epithet male. Or no more untranslatable for you! Never again in putrid boomer prison."

Her husband gave a choked gasp. "Cruel female!"

"No more sex, either," she added.”
― Julian May, Orion Arm

“Those who can't, and can't teach, translate.

(attrib: F.L. Vanderson)”
― Mort W. Lumsden, Citations: A Brief Anthology

“...literary translators are the interpreters of human values - and the true peacemakers.”
― Margaret Obank

“One of the main privileges of being a writer is that you go around and about. Then, you translate those scenes you capture in mind into words powered by your spicy imagination. Translators translate what's already been translated.”
― Noha Alaa El-Din, It's Hard to Please Vandanya: The Suitcase

“Literary translations construct cultural bridges and enlarge our horizons.”
― Núria Añó

“Translators can’t prevent wars, Mr Park.

Agreed, but they can delay them.”
― Chirag Tulsiani, The Speech

“What’s really notable about the Logi’s refusal to engage with us in our own language and media is how they’ve forced us to communicate on their terms. Our dire economic need to forge a productive relationship with another species has made us accept them and their demands. This gives them a lot more control over how they’re seen, meanwhile forcing us to put all the effort into communication, such as our network of translators.”
― Eddie Robson, Drunk on All Your Strange New Words

“Translators are the traders in the Republic of Letters and they deserve, at least, praise for sensing and understanding their own forces, and for refraining from producing books themselves and carrying a burden that would crush them.”
― Gabrielle-Émilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil du Châtelet, Reason, Illusion, and Passion: Philosophical Works