Edward Seidensticker, On Nagai Kafu and Kawabata Yasunari (Kelly)

I find what Seidensticker says about translating being a "constant repetition of choices" quite relatable. I feel that when we are translating a passage as a class or when we are translating it on our own, we tend to talk through some of the options we have when it comes to a difficult word or a unique grammar structure that only works in Japanese. We then choose an adequate but not perfect replica of what's truly being said. In these choices, Seidensticker emphasizes a dilemma where a part of the original text has to be sacrificed (rhythm, clarity... etc) in order to convey the original text best and with editors breathing down your neck to be "clear," which is a hallmark of English (clarity, emphasis, evidence) it can be hard being faithful to the original. This follows up to that point that if a translation is "better" than the original, then the translator did something excessive, which was an interesting point. When a text is more clear, I can definitely see how someone would feel that it is "better" but it loses the genuinity of the original text. I feel like I would see it as a complement towards the translator but I also see Seidensticker's point. Translators are translators, not authors.