Finding the right voice in translation

I’ve been grappling with how to maintain the original author’s voice while adapting for cultural nuances. Recently, I worked on a Spanish novel filled with local idioms that lost their charm when directly translated. I’m curious about what strategies others use to balance fidelity to the text with readability for the target audience. Any tools or resources that have helped you tackle similar challenges?

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When I worked on a similar project, I found that using footnotes for local idioms helped retain the author’s voice while providing context for readers. It keeps the original flair intact without losing clarity — @mentioning anyone who’s navigating this could share more insights on how it’s worked out for them.

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, I get you! It can be so tricky to keep that original voice, especially with idioms. I once used a mix of localized phrases and explanations in parentheses to strike a balance; it helped to keep the flavor while still being understandable.

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