Meaning: Marilyn Hacker, an American poet and translator, expresses in this quote the profound impact that the process of translation has on her approach to understanding and analyzing poetry. The act of translating a poem from one language to another requires a deep engagement with the original work, as well as a meticulous attention to detail and technical proficiency. In this way, Hacker suggests that translation offers her a unique perspective on the structural and technical aspects of poetry, free from the personal investment and subjectivity that comes with writing her own poems.

Translation is a complex and multi-faceted process that involves not only linguistic proficiency but also a deep understanding of the cultural and historical context in which the original work was created. When a poet like Hacker engages in the act of translation, they are tasked with the challenge of not only finding equivalent words and phrases in the target language but also capturing the nuances, rhythms, and cultural references of the original text. This requires a rigorous examination of the form and structure of the poem, as well as an intimate familiarity with the intricacies of both the source and target languages.

Hacker's statement about translation prompting her to look at a poem in a different way underscores the transformative nature of the translation process. When translating a poem, the poet is forced to deconstruct the original work, carefully examining its components and reassembling them in a new linguistic and cultural framework. This process allows the translator to delve deeply into the technical aspects of the poem, such as its meter, rhyme scheme, and diction, in order to faithfully recreate its essence in the target language. In doing so, the translator gains a heightened awareness of the intricate workings of the poem, approaching it with a level of scrutiny and attention to detail that may not be present when writing their own poetry.

Moreover, by emphasizing the absence of personal investment in the process of translating a poem, Hacker highlights the objectivity that translation demands. Unlike the act of writing one's own poetry, which is often characterized by personal emotion and creative expression, translation requires a more detached and analytical approach. The translator must set aside their own subjective interpretations and instead focus on faithfully conveying the meaning and form of the original poem. This objective stance enables the translator to scrutinize the technical aspects of the poem with a critical eye, leading to a deeper understanding of its construction and craft.

It is important to note that Hacker's perspective on translation is informed by her own experiences as a poet and translator. Throughout her career, she has engaged with the works of prominent French poets such as Claire Malroux and Emmanuel Moses, producing English translations that have garnered critical acclaim. Through her translation work, Hacker has honed her skills as a poet and developed a keen sensitivity to the technical intricacies of poetry, as evidenced by her reflections on the transformative nature of translation.

In conclusion, Marilyn Hacker's quote encapsulates the profound impact that the process of translation has on her approach to understanding and analyzing poetry. By emphasizing the unique perspective that translation offers, free from personal investment but equally focused on technical precision, Hacker underscores the transformative nature of the translation process. Through her insightful reflections, she provides a compelling glimpse into the intricate and multifaceted nature of translation, shedding light on its capacity to deepen one's understanding of the technical and structural aspects of poetry.