Quote:
Originally Posted by Ansileran
You always loose something with translations, even if they are well done, simply because you loose the cultural signification behind the words. Or simply because there is no equivalent word in the other language. Try translating the full meaning of "mutterseelenallein" (German) in English. Something simpler: I once tried looking for a translation for "entrebaîller" (French) in English. Couldn't find a word with the same meaning...
Reverse it. I couldn't find a proper translation for "angst" (English) in French, something like "angoisse" but not exactly...
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Well, they say that if one wants to look into the "soul" of a language then one must see its untranslatable words.
BTW, I speak Spanish and also can read in English. I learnt some English in regular school, took some courses in a language school, but most of my vocabulary comes from reading books in English and watching TV using the SAP option.
I prefer to read books and poetry in their original language. Of course for other languages besides English and Spanish it is a matter of availability of a translation. I have found that in general is easier (and cheaper) to find an English translation than a Spanish one.