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?
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
structured procrastinator
/Other Literature: Canterbury Tales
17/01/2010 10:58:16 PM
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The only way to read it is in the original. Most of it is poetry.
18/01/2010 12:14:03 AM
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if you can't manage the middle english, though
18/01/2010 01:20:37 AM
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How can any intelligent person who knows modern English "not manage" Middle English? *NM*
18/01/2010 03:31:35 AM
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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
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Re: The only way to read it is in the original. Most of it is poetry.
18/01/2010 07:53:05 AM
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I remember being really surprised by the Canterbury Tales in high school.
18/01/2010 01:18:56 AM
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I don't associate Penguin Classics with their modern desecrations.
18/01/2010 01:46:15 AM
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What's the deal with Penguin Classics?
18/01/2010 01:37:58 PM
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Re: What's the deal with Penguin Classics?
18/01/2010 04:10:53 PM
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There's much love for the Penguin Classics on my part. It makes my textbooks cost about 10 cents.
18/01/2010 09:45:26 PM
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Re: I like Eoin Colfer!
18/01/2010 10:20:57 AM
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Re: I like Eoin Colfer!
18/01/2010 10:22:11 AM
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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
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I'm happy to say I first read this post in the original language .
18/01/2010 10:42:41 PM
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