Tea Time with Lhya | Reading in the original language vs. reading the translation

Last year I started this section to talk about anything related with books or blogging. But... why in english? As I said in the presentation of the section (you can read it here), it's because, as we read and watch films and series in english, I think it's a good idea to discuss them also in english, to improve our language skills... and, most importantly, because it can be really fun!

My idea was (and is) to do kind of a guest post, written in english, but with two of us (me and anyone that wants to participate) taking part on it.  So, how can you participate in this section? It's really easy; you only have to send me an email to flywithpaperwings@gmail.com with the topic "Tea Time" and, if you have, with some ideas to talk about. The email can be written in english or in spanish, it doesn't matter.

Today I'm here with LHYA, form the blog All rare girl (by the way, go visit her blog, it's really lovely and beautiful). We'd be talking about the pros and cons of reading a book in its original language or reading it in your language (in our case, spanish). LHYA explains it very well: As you may know, a important number of us reads in English too. I would like to discuss how an English reading differentiates of an Spanish reading. Almost all the books we read in spanish are original written in english, so it would be great to know what other people think about it. If it's the best to read in the original language, if the translation sometimes doesn't catch the real essence, if it makes the reading harder to understand, etc.

Let's get started!

Reading in English could be different and maybe even better. But of course, like everything, it has its good sides and bad ones. So, to explain our point of view of this topic, we decided to center in the differences between reading a book in its original language or reading its translation.

For most of us reading in english is, above all, a way to improve our vocabulary, our grammar... and to be able to discover new stories without having to wait for their translation. But, in general, we always would prefer reading in spanish. Because it's easier and because it's what we are used to. Moreover, i you're deeply enjoying the chapter you're reading, having to search for a dictionary and look up for a word that you don't understand can get you out of the book and the story, and it can be hard to get into that trance again.

Maybe for that reason, one of the fears and doubts you can had when you started reading in English, is thinking that you may not enjoy reading in english as much as you do reading in spanish. But that is certainly not true. We thought this before we started reading in english but we surprised ourselfs when we realized we enjoyed it, even more than usual, and that not understanding sentences or words it's not bad. It only makes reading more exciting, and it's a big help if you want to increase your grammar. 

 

Now is your turn! Do you usually read in english? Do you prefer reading in english or in spanish?