Quote:
Originally Posted by paola
which version are you reading? I have found the Woods translation, too, and I have to say it is quite different from Lowe-Porter: it seems to be adding more "colour", nevertheless I find both versions very legible (I'll have to choose one though!  ) - but perhaps you are reading it in the original version? |
I read the Woods translation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Billi
Are you talking about Johann Buddenbrooks, the head of the family? I have just started the book and until now only found one usage of dialects but this had nothing to do with "fit into the society" or some social classes. What Johann is speaking is "plattdeutsch", a dialect typical for northern Germany. It is "very" dialect - there are many words in plattdeutsch that have only a small resemblence to their German counterparts (maybe deserblues understands it quite well). I guess it should demonstrate how "local" he is whereas his usage of French should demonstrate how "worldly" he is at the same time.
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No, not Johann, late in the book Tony has a love interest who is from a different part of the country. The other odd dialogue bits were from lower class characters that Johann interacts with occasionally.