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Re: The only way to read it is in the original. Most of it is poetry. Camilla Send a noteboard - 18/01/2010 07:53:05 AM
Poetry really can't and shouldn't be translated. It has so much to do with the SOUND of words that it is best in its original language. Of course, most people reading it in Middle English will still end up applying a pronunciation that is similar to modern English, but it's closer and better.

I finally finished Monte Cristo, by the way. Why would anyone ever want to read it a second time?


Lumping anything written in meter and verse into the group "poetry" that cannot be translated is a bit ... something. Mallarmé, maybe. Chaucer? I find it hard to believe. I have read some of it in the original, and I did not find that much difference. It may be that this is a very good translation, and I am fairly sure it helps that it is translated into a later version of the same language.

I know my enjoyment of it would have been impaired if I were to read it all in Middle English: it is too close to Norwegian. When I read in English, I think in English; and when I read in Norwegian, I think in Norwegian. And when I read something that looks like English with random Norwegian in an odd spelling, my brain goes kaplooi.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
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/Other Literature: Canterbury Tales - 17/01/2010 10:58:16 PM 5084 Views
The only way to read it is in the original. Most of it is poetry. - 18/01/2010 12:14:03 AM 1493 Views
if you can't manage the middle english, though - 18/01/2010 01:20:37 AM 1469 Views
How can any intelligent person who knows modern English "not manage" Middle English? *NM* - 18/01/2010 03:31:35 AM 834 Views
How can any intelligent person who can manage Middle English not be bored to death reading it? *NM* - 18/01/2010 04:29:39 AM 901 Views
Well... - 18/01/2010 04:31:47 AM 1593 Views
Taste is highly subjective, that's why. - 18/01/2010 01:36:52 PM 1471 Views
Fair enough. I find it excruciatingly boring. *shrugs* *NM* - 18/01/2010 02:56:34 PM 787 Views
Speaking of that book - 18/01/2010 04:32:42 AM 1477 Views
Re: The only way to read it is in the original. Most of it is poetry. - 18/01/2010 07:53:05 AM 1525 Views
I remember being really surprised by the Canterbury Tales in high school. - 18/01/2010 01:18:56 AM 1465 Views
I always loved that book - 18/01/2010 01:21:25 AM 1488 Views
I don't associate Penguin Classics with their modern desecrations. - 18/01/2010 01:46:15 AM 1544 Views
What's the deal with Penguin Classics? - 18/01/2010 01:37:58 PM 1357 Views
Re: What's the deal with Penguin Classics? - 18/01/2010 04:10:53 PM 1515 Views
There is no sixth Hitchhiker book. - 18/01/2010 04:48:40 PM 1367 Views
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Re: I like Eoin Colfer! - 18/01/2010 10:20:57 AM 1386 Views
Re: I like Eoin Colfer! - 18/01/2010 10:22:11 AM 1386 Views
You know, there's this huge problem with using rabid animals - 18/01/2010 10:20:37 PM 1385 Views
Re: Threaten, people, threaten! - 19/01/2010 01:29:16 PM 1505 Views
I bought a bilingual edition (Middle and modern English), might have to read it at some point... *NM* - 18/01/2010 04:50:53 PM 763 Views
Technically, that's not bilingual. - 20/01/2010 01:36:55 AM 1373 Views
I wouldn't count on Tim supporting you... - 20/01/2010 12:54:05 PM 1416 Views
I'm happy to say I first read this post in the original language . - 18/01/2010 10:42:41 PM 1577 Views
Well done. *NM* - 18/01/2010 10:44:51 PM 786 Views

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