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negotiated the fraught landscape

 
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hiromichi



Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 1380

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:04 pm    Post subject: negotiated the fraught landscape Reply with quote

What does "negotiated the fraught landscape" mean?

Influential playwright Stan Lai has stretched the boundaries of the theatrical experience in his native Taiwan, in China, and around the world. He has negotiated the fraught landscape between China and Taiwan through drama, and in recent years through active efforts to reshape the theatrical culture of China. In a wide-ranging conversation with Professor of Modern Chinese History Wen-hsin Yeh, Lai explores his work, his ideas, and his unique vision.
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IanT



Joined: 13 Sep 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Spain

PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well...

What it means is that he has written plays about the difficult relationship between the two countries.

Here "negotiate", rather than its normal meaning of trying to come to an agreement or help people come to an agreement, has the sense, derived from the normal meaning, of getting through something difficult or sensitive. A bit like "walking a tightrope". An alternative here might be "tackled".

Fraught means troubled, difficult. "Landscape", to my mind" is not the best word to use here, as it suggest a visible geographical scene. Phrases like "political landscape" do exist, but in theatre ... I'd just say "situation".

Hope helps,
Ian
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hiromichi



Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 1380

PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

IanT:
Thank you for your analytical detailed (or? detailed analytical, another question) explanation.
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IanT



Joined: 13 Sep 2012
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're welcome! "Detailed analytical" sounds better. Smile
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hiromichi



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Posts: 1380

PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

IanT:
Thank you very much.
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