@Heisonmak i appreciate that my writing resonated with you, especially in a way that brings a sense of home. i also understand what you’re trying to do. to bridge language gaps and share stories that matter with more readers.
your intention is kind, and i see the heart behind it.
that said, i’d prefer not to have my works translated.
it’s not because i think translation itself is wrong. it’s because of how much tone, rhythm, and emotional intent can shift across languages. i speak english, cantonese, mandarin, and even with fluency, i still read differently in each one. english allows for space, implication, and ambiguity. mandarin can feel sharper, more direct, sometimes more structured emotionally. cantonese and hokkien carry their own cadence and rawness. each language builds emotion differently not just in words, but in how silence, subtext, and softness are held.
so even with the best intentions, a line that carries quiet weight in english might land too directly in chinese. something fragile might be made too neat. and once tone shifts, character and meaning can shift too.
so for now, i’m not comfortable giving permission to translate, simply because i can’t be involved in the process, and i’ve chosen to protect the emotional shape of the work as it is.
thank you again for reaching out so thoughtfully. i truly appreciate it, and i’m grateful the story meant something to you.