My Summer in Other Languages project for 2022 is now over. I didn't do much, basically just reading one book in French ... but every little bit helps. I'd really like to get back to working on German now. I've actually been quite surprised and pleased that my conversational skills seem to have improved quite … Continue reading A poem in translation: The Rockface by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer
I met my Summer in Other Languages goal of reading Le Grand Meaulnes, the classic novel by Alain-Fournier, in French. I'd read it some years ago in English, but I forgot most of the plot and it was like reading it for the first time! As with previous French reads, it was great to participate … Continue reading Summer in Other Languages: Le Grand Meaulnes
Literature In the course of the Narniathon we've reached the last volume of the Chronicles of Narnia, a bittersweet event. I have loved revisiting these childhood favorites, which really were a formative force for my imagination, and finding that while there is much I now question or would like to say differently as an adult, … Continue reading Month in Review: June 2022
June has sprung suddenly upon me, so it's time once more for my personal Summer in Other Languages challenge. All are invited -- if during the months of June, July and August you would like to read anything in a language you consider "other" (other than your native language, other than you usually read, or … Continue reading Summer in Other Languages 2022
I'm a bit late in asking this, but wanted to check whether anybody else succeeded in reading one or more books in another language (or in translation) over the summer. If so, what was your experience? I had ambitious plans, but in actuality I only completed two books, one in French and one in German. … Continue reading Summer in Other Languages: How did you do?
Here's the final post from my Summer in Other Languages readalong, Die Kleine Hexe by Otfried Preußler, with a summary in German, an English translation, and some last thoughts on the conclusion of the book. If' you've been following along, thanks for being with me on this journey! I've really enjoyed it and I hope … Continue reading Die Kleine Hexe: Chapters 16-20
Here’s part three of my Summer in Other Languages readalong of Die Kleine Hexe by Otfried Preußler. Once again, I’ll give a short summary of this section in German, an English version of the summary, and some observations and questions. Die kleine Hexe sucht mehr Menschen zu helfen mit ihrer Verzauberung. Sie hilft Thomas und … Continue reading Die Kleine Hexe: Chapters 11-15
Here's part two of my Summer in Other Languages readalong of Die Kleine Hexe by Otfried Preußler. As before, I'll give a short summary of this section in German, an English version of the summary, and some observations and questions. Die kleine Hexe sucht Wege eine gute Hexe zu sein. Sie trefft drei alte Weiber … Continue reading Die Kleine Hexe: Chapters 6-10
This month, I'm reading Die Kleine Hexe (The Little Witch) by Otfried Preußler, a classic book by one of Germany's favorite children's authors. His books are popular in translation as well, so if you are not up to reading in German, it should be possible to find them in English or another language. Each week … Continue reading Die Kleine Hexe: Chapters 1-5
It's July, and we've crossed into the true month of midsummer. If you've been participating in Summer in Other Languages, how have you been doing? I confess that my performance has not been at all impressive. I started L'étranger by Albert Camus, but I find it slow going; with its unsympathetic protagonist. Other distractions, such … Continue reading Summer in Other Languages: Readalong of Die Kleine Hexe
