The poem mentioned above — anyone else want to take a stab at it? not happy with "toils, panics, and poverty" nor "procreating" but time is of the essence, alas
Glad to help! FWIW, "toils, panics, and poverty" doesn't sound too bad to me, but might work better with something else in place of "panics." How would it feel with "fear" there instead?
"Fear" could work, but the reason I went for the literal "panics" was an attempt to convey the neuroses we inherit from our upbringings. while most fears are unfounded, I think there's something charitable about them. "neuroses" is totally off tone (even if Zhang Ailing never said this)... going to stay at the drawing board
I listen to the same song on repeat when writing too. Idk if you feel this way but I find Chinese to be much more emotive than English. The words are more precise and evocative. I might write about this in the future.
As for “Love,” I find the original Chinese so much more touching than the English translation. Ofc it’s common for the translation to lack what the original has. She’s a master at subtlety while eliciting a strong emotional response from the reader.
Lovely piece--both the translation and the essay. Personally, I go with a specific playlist when I'm working on something. (I can't imagine looping a single song for that long. I'd go madder than I already am!) And hey, it wasn't John Cusack's line, it was Cameron Crowe's!
I'm so excited for September's book club! Just placed an order for her book.
hope you enjoy! love love Eileen Chang too.
如果孩子的出生，
是为了继承自己的劳碌，恐慌，贫困，
那么，不生也是一种善良。
If a child’s birth,
Will but pass on your toils, panics, and poverty—
Perhaps, not procreating is a kindness.
The poem mentioned above — anyone else want to take a stab at it? not happy with "toils, panics, and poverty" nor "procreating" but time is of the essence, alas
How about just “Perhaps it would be kinder not to?”
that's a perfect solution. Thank you, Brendan! Means the world to me that you took the time to point me in the right direction
Glad to help! FWIW, "toils, panics, and poverty" doesn't sound too bad to me, but might work better with something else in place of "panics." How would it feel with "fear" there instead?
"Fear" could work, but the reason I went for the literal "panics" was an attempt to convey the neuroses we inherit from our upbringings. while most fears are unfounded, I think there's something charitable about them. "neuroses" is totally off tone (even if Zhang Ailing never said this)... going to stay at the drawing board
I listen to the same song on repeat when writing too. Idk if you feel this way but I find Chinese to be much more emotive than English. The words are more precise and evocative. I might write about this in the future.
As for “Love,” I find the original Chinese so much more touching than the English translation. Ofc it’s common for the translation to lack what the original has. She’s a master at subtlety while eliciting a strong emotional response from the reader.
What’re your thoughts?
I love that piece by her! Have you read her novels?
Lovely piece--both the translation and the essay. Personally, I go with a specific playlist when I'm working on something. (I can't imagine looping a single song for that long. I'd go madder than I already am!) And hey, it wasn't John Cusack's line, it was Cameron Crowe's!