Would you, or have you, ever?

Question

Learn or learned a language just to read a certain book or author in the native and original text?

Am I the only person who has reservations of reading a translated book since it is not exactly the authors original words? I just feel its no different than have someone rewriting a book in their own style.

Answer 1

I've learned French to be able to read Andre Gide (and whole list of others) in original...
Translation can be perfect but the translator has to be a poet himself to be able to capture the magic inside of every good book.

Answer 2

Actually it is always better to read it in its original language, since the author's interpretation may be not the same as the translator, I've never learned any language to read any book, but I always prefer to read english written books in english rather than in spanish, my firts language.
What you are doing or intending to do is a very good thing, because not only you enjoy the book better, but it gives you more knowledge and connects you with other cultures as well.

Answer 3

I have to agree with you on your reservations about reading translated texts, especially since translations, no matter how good, can never really capture the true nuances and flavors of the original.

If there was a work that I wish I could read in the original, it would have to be Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji" - a tall order, I should think, especially considering that even native Japanese speakers and readers have trouble reading it and consider it something for the experts, but I think that I would happily learn Japanese if only to read it in the original.

Answer 4

Hello dear!
I envy you, doing such effort!
Reading the Iliad I understood the numerous mistakes done by interpreters and the different meaning they present! Thus, when I read classical books I get books with the original text and the "translated" on the other side, so that I get consultation from interpreter but have the security of the author!

Answer 5

No, I didn't. I've once learned languages to be able to communicate with other people.
You might be right. It depends on the writer and the author, of course. Good authors try to transport much more than words and phrases. So it's a question of individual understanding. Interpretors may have contrary points of view to those of the original author. Or they live in another time. Or they knot in a computer chair while the original had to write on toilet paper in candlelight.
In general, I agree with you.

Answer 6

I would like to but it probably won't happen. I would rather spend the time it takes to do that use it to read things which would most likely help me advance my career.

Learning other languages would be amazing. I'm sure there are excellent books out there which we miss out on because they were never translated into the only language(s) we understand. It's such a shame!

Answer 7

Many people learn Sanskrit or Prakrit language to read the original indian epics.

Answer 8

i want to know (if not learn, as such) EVERY language, that i may better understand the speech and writings of their possessors. unfortunately, i have very little discipline (fortunately, i have an innate ability with communication). borges and cervantes spring to mind, as authors i should like to read in the original (though borges worked on all his translations, and was familiar with english, if i recall aright). agh! my mind races with the possibilities! it'd be lucrative, as well. "akkadian? of course i know it!". "what fool said no one can translate etruscan?! i know it like the breast of my beloved wet-nurse!".

Answer 9

It's a good idea!

That way, you get the story straight from the author.