Arthur Sze Translates Tang Poetry by Hand

Arthur Sze, the US poet laureate, employs a unique and deliberate method when translating classical Tang dynasty poetry into English. Rather than working quickly, Sze writes Chinese characters by hand, a process that forces him to slow down to the pace of brush strokes and gaps. This resistance to speed is central to his craft and reflects his belief that poetry must be treated with care to cross cultural borders while retaining its depth.

Over a five-decade-long career, Sze has completed only 75 translations, a testament to his selective and meticulous approach. He exclusively translates poems he loves and does not work on assignment. His method emphasizes the importance of patience and reverence in the art of translation, ensuring that the integrity of the original work remains intact in its new language.

For Arthur Sze, the process of translating classical Chinese poetry is a physical and meditative act. When working with texts from the Tang dynasty, he chooses to write the Chinese characters by hand. This traditional method is not merely an aesthetic choice but a core component of his translation philosophy. By moving at the pace of brush strokes and the natural gaps between characters, Sze deliberately resists the modern demand for speed.

This slow, deliberate pace allows him to engage more deeply with the text, ensuring that every nuance is considered. Sze believes that this careful treatment is essential for poetry to travel across borders. The goal is to preserve the original work's depth and integrity, ensuring that nothing is lost in the transition from one language to another. This approach stands in contrast to faster, more mechanical translation methods that might overlook subtle meanings.

The US poet laureate's commitment to quality is evident in the volume of his translated work. Over the course of a five-decade-long career, Sze has produced just 75 translations. This remarkably small number highlights his highly selective nature. He does not translate for the sake of volume or on a production schedule.

Instead, Sze operates on a principle of personal connection and passion. He only translates poems that he genuinely loves. This personal investment ensures that his translations are acts of admiration and care, rather than mere technical exercises. His refusal to work on assignment further underscores his dedication to the art itself over commercial or professional pressures.

The central tenet of Arthur Sze's translation practice is the preservation of depth. He contends that for poetry to truly cross cultural and linguistic divides, it must be handled with immense care. His handwritten method is a tangible manifestation of this respect for the source material. By slowing down, he creates a space for the poem's essence to be fully absorbed before being re-expressed in English.

This belief system guides his entire career. The limited number of translations he has completed serves as a testament to this philosophy. Each piece is a carefully considered bridge between cultures, built with patience and a profound respect for the original work. Sze's approach demonstrates that the most effective way to share poetry across the world is not through speed, but through a thoughtful and reverent process.