Famous quote by Robert Fitzgerald

"The question is how to bring a work of imagination out of one language that was just as taken-for-granted by the persons who used it as our language is by ourselves. Nothing strange about it"

About this Quote

Robert Fitzgerald's quote touches on the complex and frequently enigmatic process of translation, particularly concentrating on the translation of creative works from one language to another. The essence of the quote lies in recognizing the natural and intuitive relationship a person has with their native language, and the challenging job of catching this ease and familiarity when translating.

First of all, Fitzgerald deals with the inherent comfort and second-nature quality that native speakers have with their language. Language, for the majority of people, is an inherent part of their identity and method of comprehending the world. It's not simply a tool for interaction, however a lens through which reality is perceived and interpreted. This distinct relationship with one's language influences how principles, feelings, and subtleties are revealed. For a translator, this presents the challenge of stopping briefly to think about: How do we extract and shift these deeply deep-rooted linguistic and cultural subtleties into another language that is equally rich and occupied by its own nuances and idiomatic expressions?

Furthermore, the quote hints at the universality of language and communication. By stating that the source language was "just as taken-for-granted", Fitzgerald implies that no language transcends or more complicated than another in its natural environment. Each language serves its neighborhood as a fundamental part of everyday life, filled with meaning that typically goes undetected by its users up until efforts are made to equate it.

In his final remark, "Nothing weird about it", Fitzgerald suggests that this task, although difficult, is absolutely nothing over-the-top or insurmountable. It is a tip of the shared human undertaking of interaction. Despite the initial trouble of translating meaningful, creative works, it is an endeavor that can be carried out with level of sensitivity and creativity. This sentiment encourages openness and optimism towards translation, seeing it as an art of bridging worlds instead of seeing it as an obstacle to understanding.

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About the Author

USA Flag This quote is from Robert Fitzgerald between October 12, 1910 and January 16, 1985. He/she was a famous Author from USA. The author also have 22 other quotes.
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