Authentic or watered down
Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 2:29PM
Liara Covert

To be unwelcome in one's own country, to find a lack of work opportunities, leads some writers to become expatriates.  Their sensibility and perception may remain distinctly national, cultural, localized, and soulful.  Writing can design its own rules as words move along.  They may gain more power in orality, the living voice, in live performance.  Perhaps a recording can't replace a real life experience? Why even try to translate it into words?

More often than not, people turn their books as a way to find solace in solitude.  These people aren't seeking inter-connectedness with people around them, but to be engrossed in fictional people and places.  What is it about exoticism its seductions?  Interpreting a culture at its deepest level is typically done by nationals for their own nationals.  This gives perspective authenticity.  When a writer writes about a culture for foreigners, would such an interpretation be as authentic?  

You may imagine that people do not adjust their language to the expectations of the foreigners who would judge you.  Yet, writing and publishing a book in multiple countries implies it must be translated into language and and at times, jacket and title slightly changed. Would this imply that the original written work be as valid or would it be watered down when marketed as a package?

Article originally appeared on Inspirational Quotes, books & articles to empower you (https://blog.dreambuilders.com.au/).
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