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Ollie Redfern's avatar

I embarked a few years ago on a literary translator journey but I hadn't yet heard of "After Babel". It seems to be an essential read! Thanking you for mentioning it; it's now on my "must read" list.

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Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

After Babel is absolutely a classic if you are interested in translation. Thanks for reading!

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Hi Zina, good luck with the rest essay! I remember reading Steiner at university with an admiration bordering on reverence. Years later, I saw him give a talk in Mexico City. Although there were flashes of brilliance, he came over as irascible and not a little rude. "This is not a circus!" he shouted angrily at the photographers wanting to get an image of him onstage.

It was a reminder that it can be a real let down to see your idols in person. Or maybe I shouldn't have made him an idol in the first place?

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Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

Thank you! Wow. Interesting anecdote about Steiner, and sorry to hear he was like that. I’ve also been disappointed in people I’ve admired from afar. Talent and intellect does not always come with compassion or wisdom.

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Tara Penry's avatar

None of that is light, quick reading! 😅 Godspeed with the essay. I hope it is farther along already and right where you need it to be.

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Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

Thank you, Tara! I actually got through the part that was giving me the most trouble and it looks good. It definitely is right in the middle of word count, and I have a little bit more to write between sections but it flows much better now! ❤️

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Felix Purat's avatar

Good luck with the essay! Steiner is definitely worth the time.

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Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

Thanks. The essay looks so much better. And yes... Steiner is such a wonderful discovery. I was browsing the semiotic/linguistic stacks of the library around Eco and Chomsky and picked him up. Providence!

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Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

Thank you for the restack, Adam!

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Angela Sealana's avatar

Go Zina! Cheering for you!

This was a lovely reflection. Thank you. I do wish we had it translated, "Our Dad in Heaven." 😊 In my Rosary podcast, I use a quote from a blind missionary priest, Father Martin; I believe he's a distant cousin of St. Thérèse. From him, I picked up the habit of calling God, "Daddy!"

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Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

Thank you, Angela! What a nice “Daddy” anecdote.

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David Roberts's avatar

At the risk of further distracting you, I will tell you that one of the most powerful and disturbing pieces of writing I've ever read is the ending of George Steiner's controversial book, The Portage to San Cristobal of A.H."

I wrote a post about it, but with everything going on, giving George Steiner's Hitler the microphone seemed wrong. It seemed wrong to Steiner, too, especially when it was made into a play.

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Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

I will put a pin 📍 in this for a later date. Thank you!

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