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As a multilingual reader, would you read a book in its original language or your first language?

By first language I mean the language you use the most (be it English for US/UK citizens, Arabic for Middle Eastern citizens, Italian for those from Italy etc) the one you grew up using and studied in.

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Question added by Deleted user
Date Posted: 2014/05/13
Yvan Clot- Goudard
by Yvan Clot- Goudard , Consultant , Y Consulting LLC

I'd rather read the book in its original language if I am able to understand it, or else I would try to find the best translation.

Fuad Fadol
by Fuad Fadol , Procurement Consultant and Arbitrator , Self Employed

I would rather reading books, magazines and newspapers in their original languages. This will expand more vocabulary  and broaden my understaning.

In my opinion, a book is better in its original language. Idioms and culturally specific figures of speech are lost through translation. I enjoy reading the original published book, even if I am not fluent in the language, but I often read the English version after.

hanan alhajjar
by hanan alhajjar , translator , AlBayan Model School

I prefer to read it in the original language

I would read a book in its original language that I happen to know, rather than one that is written in my mother tongue. Most often, the translated version cannot really contain the real context of thought, mood, or description of the original; so it will not make for good reading to me.

Ahmad Saleh
by Ahmad Saleh , Part-time English Teacher , ITA

I couldn't agree more. Sometimes, however, there are some books translated with astonishing adequacy. I remember reading an Arabic translated version of Tolstoy's Resurrection and still wonder whether the translator was Tolstoy's best friend!!

ahmed ragab
by ahmed ragab , Team leader construction equipment engineer , Ghabbour Egypt Volvo construction equipment

Well, Okay.. You already knew the answer from the above comments .. but I'll say that for me, it depends on what I am going to read and why ..

both at the same time , because some times there are translations mistakes

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