The ATA Chronicle - March/April 2023 - 25

E
very translator
writes-as in putting
one language into
A Translator's
Creative Writing
Journey
(in His Non-Native Language)
Writing is not a natural occurrence but
a learned skill. All writers, native or
non-native, acquire such a skill through
learning and practicing.
By Fang Sheng
another. But as a translator,
I know creative writing
is a completely different
creature. So why, as many
ask me, would I take up
creative writing? Do I
consider it a branching out
from my current profession?
Or a transition to a second
career? The answer to those
questions is: " I'm not sure
yet. " So why am I doing it?
I've been translating
(and interpreting) for
years. Behind all the " other
people's words, " there's
always been an urge lurking
to create something I can
proudly claim as my own. Of
course, my translation career
has been stable and life is
pretty good. Because of this,
my dream remained on the
back burner for a long time,
but occasionally I would
think: " I'm in my fifties now,
I have a career and a family-
everything seems to be nice and
comfortable. But is this 'it'? "
Listening to
My Inner Voice
The pandemic turned out to
be an opportunity to reflect
on myself, my life, and my
dreams. I've always had a
desire to tell my family's
story: how my parents
learned classical music from
Jewish refugee musicians
exiled in Shanghai during
WWII, and later became
professional musicians
with the China National
Symphony. Despite my
need to share their story of
resilience and cross-cultural
connections, there have
always been distractions-
deadlines to meet, family
obligations, career
opportunities-pressuring
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American Translators Association 25

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The ATA Chronicle - March/April 2023

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The ATA Chronicle - March/April 2023 - 1
The ATA Chronicle - March/April 2023 - Contents
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