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/lit/ - Literature

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10060817 No.10060817 [Reply] [Original]

German literature is very rich and interesting, but is it worth reading in german ?

It is generally said of the german language that it's harsh to the ears and also very strict and precise in its grammar.

My second question is, does it make that much of a difference ? What if I read a translation ?

thanks in advance /lit/

>> No.10061250

This is OP

I am willing to put in the considerable effort of learning the language, but only if it is worth it.

Anyone with experience is welcome

>> No.10061262

Personally it seems like the majority of german literature worth reading is philosophy, which unlike what a lot of people here will say, is perfectly fine to read translated

>> No.10061277

>>10060817
Yes it's worth it. Its harshness and precision are perks, not negatives.

>> No.10061656

>>10061277

Do you find that translation from german, in whatever language, restricts how well ideas are expressed to the point of making a very significant difference ?

Also, I like precision myself though I'm not fond of harshness.


>>10061262
Actually, there are many good german writers that are not philosophers, but I suppose I will take your word on philosophy.

>> No.10061823

The "harshness" of German is a meme perpetuated by people who don't know the language or know it badly. The whole aesthetic approach to languages is a meme and stupid. "This language is pretty, this one isn't", it's just subjective bullshit.

>> No.10061965

>>10061823
This.
Coming from someone who took 3 years of German in college

>> No.10061972
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10061972

If they're good writers in English, they're even better in German

If they're shit writers in English, they're even more shit in German

>> No.10061978

>>10061262
>t. Retard

>> No.10061987

>>10060817
if you truly wanna experience the real deal, I'd say go for it, but it's a shitton of work I guess

personally I'd say it's worth, since many great books like Faust or most of Manns work can hardly be translated