The translator must always have in mind that his
readership will not be identica! with that of the originai
literary text. lts politica! and cultura! formation; its
familiarity with the author's world and field of reference;
even its racial composition may differ widely from those
encountered by the originai work. This raises a question
of central critical importance. How far should he make
himself the interpretar of those differences? My own answer to this question would be that the
translator should exercise this privilege, if at all, rather
sparingly and with humility. After all, the fact that the
author approved the translation rights is a clear
indication of professional confidence that the book can
successfully navigate strange seas. And the
interactions between the creative imagination and the
reader can never be limited or predicted. The translator
is employed as a specialist in the craft of translation,
not as one in the assessment of his unknown reader's
curiosity, knowledge or imaginative scope. lt is well that
he should bear this also constantly in mind.
But the translator has a relationship not only to the
author and the reader. The publisher will have his own
views about these matters.
