Deborah Smith
Deborah Smith
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Deborah Smith was a British writer and translator best known for her work on translating Korean literature.
Birth and Death Dates
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Deborah Smith was born in 1977. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any reliable sources confirming her date of death or passing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Smith was British by nationality and worked as a writer and translator.
Early Life and Background
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Little is known about Deborah Smith's early life. However, it can be inferred that she developed an interest in Korean culture and literature at some point during her life.
Major Accomplishments
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Deborah Smith is credited with translating numerous Korean literary works into English. Her translations have been widely praised for their accuracy and nuance. Smith has also worked as a writer on various projects, although the details of these endeavors are unclear.
Notable Works or Actions
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One of Deborah Smith's most notable achievements is her work in translating "Human Acts" by Han Kang. The book was published in 2014 to critical acclaim and shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize in 2016.
Smith has also translated other works, including novels and poetry collections. Her dedication to bringing Korean literature to a wider audience has been recognized through various awards and nominations.
Impact and Legacy
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Deborah Smith's contributions to the field of translation have had a significant impact on the literary world. By making Korean literature more accessible to English speakers, she has helped to bridge cultural divides and foster greater understanding between nations.
Smith's legacy extends beyond her translations as well. Her work serves as an example of the importance of cross-cultural exchange and the power of language in shaping our perceptions of the world.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Deborah Smith is widely quoted and remembered for her tireless efforts to promote Korean literature and culture through translation. Her commitment to this work has left a lasting impact on the literary landscape, ensuring that her contributions will be felt for generations to come.
While there may not be extensive information available about Deborah Smith's personal life or background, her professional achievements are a testament to her dedication to her craft and her passion for sharing Korean literature with a global audience.
Quotes by Deborah Smith
I stood there, my head bowed, my shoulders hunched. This is how it feels to be dragged from the cement shoes of a comfortable rut. The slow, steady strain on my legs became an excruciating amputation. My ankles pulled free from my feet. Bones snapped, cartilage tore, veins pulsed blood onto the soft brown clay of the yard.
At the center, on the lawn of the courthouse, sat a log manger with a life-size nativity scene cut out of plywood. If an civil libertarian had complained about the nativity being on public property, he would have been hunted down like Santa’s reindeer during bow season.
Their mystique comes from the fact that, once upon a time, someone cared enough to hide them.
There’s never been a war in the history of the world that wasn’t started by the wealthy for the wealthy.
Plus, publishing’s inherent conservatism, means that what little did get through was weighted towards the commercial end of the scale, which is not the kind of writing that excites me.
All of which suggested literary translation, and Korean seemed a good bet – barely anything available in English, yet it was a modern, developed country, so the work had to be out there, plus the rarity would make it both easier to secure a student grant and more of a niche when it came to work.
Life doesn’t take itself seriously for long. Joy leaves an imprint even in the hardest sorrow.
I teach Korean translation at the British Centre for Literary Translation summer school, so I see an emerging generation too, who are around my age. I’m hoping to find time to mentor, and to help emerging translators to a first contract through Tilted Axis.