Meaning: Marilyn Hacker's quote about translation offers insight into the complex and symbiotic relationship between language, poetry, and the act of translation itself. As a well-respected poet and translator, Hacker's words carry weight in the literary and linguistic communities. In this quote, she suggests that translation offers a unique and compelling means of engagement with poetry and language, highlighting the reciprocal influence between the two. Let's delve deeper into the significance of this quote and the context in which it was made.

Translation, as Hacker implies, presents a distinct way of interacting with poetry and language. When a literary work is translated from one language to another, the translator is tasked with not only conveying the literal meaning of the text but also capturing the nuances, cultural references, and poetic elements present in the original work. This process requires a deep understanding of both the source and target languages, as well as a keen sensitivity to the intricacies of poetic expression. Through translation, the translator becomes intimately involved with the linguistic and artistic features of the original poem, navigating the complexities of language and meaning in a profound way.

Hacker's assertion that translation and poetry "feed each other" underscores the interconnectedness of these two domains. When a translator engages with a poem in order to render it into another language, they are not merely engaging in a mechanical task of substitution. Rather, they are immersing themselves in the poetic sensibilities, thematic concerns, and stylistic choices of the original work. This immersive process can deeply enrich the translator's own poetic sensibilities, informing their understanding of language and expression in ways that directly impact their own creative endeavors. In this sense, translation becomes a fertile ground for the cross-pollination of poetic ideas and linguistic insights.

Moreover, Hacker's reference to "the language that I've found myself living in much of the time" speaks to the intimate and dynamic relationship between a translator and the language they work with. For translators, particularly those who work extensively in a specific language pair, the act of translation becomes a mode of inhabiting and embodying the linguistic landscape of the source language. This deep familiarity with the language, its idioms, its cadences, and its cultural resonances, shapes the translator's worldview and creative expression. Through their immersion in the language, translators develop a profound connection to its nuances and subtleties, influencing their own poetic sensibilities and linguistic dexterity.

Marilyn Hacker's quote offers a compelling perspective on the multifaceted nature of translation as a creative and intellectual pursuit. It underscores the intricate interplay between poetry, language, and translation, illuminating the ways in which these domains inform and enrich each other. Her words invite us to contemplate the profound impact of translation on both the translator's engagement with poetry and their relationship to the language itself. As we consider the power of translation to bridge linguistic and cultural divides, we recognize its capacity to expand our understanding of poetry and language, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities and beauty inherent in both.