---

Geschrieben von fallen am 05.07.2004 um 11:02:

 

Um, I only read HP#5 in English because I couldn't wait anymore and I must confess, that it was hard to read. I also didn't read some pages because they were firstly, uninteresting and/or secondly because I didn't understand anything ^_~ But when you've read in, it may get easier. If you really want to read HP in English, I would firstly try the first book.

---

Geschrieben von Annabelle Hermione am 05.07.2004 um 18:01:

 

fallen is right!
I read the 5th book last summer and it was really difficult and I took my English dictionary with my book everywhere I went. Some time later, I was fed up with it and just read on without the dictionary. It was diffiuclt at first, but I quickly got the hang of it, cause words occurred again and stuff. Well,it's really not that bad, I swear, guyz!!

I also read the book because I couldn't wait anymore and it was the first book I ever read that was in english, so it was even more difficult.

Well, I read all books so far in German and English expect the 3rd one in english.

---

Geschrieben von stachelchen am 05.07.2004 um 18:06:

 

I'm reading the English books at the moment - and it's great! I can't really tell you why I like reading the English books more than reading the German ones. Of course there are some jokes which you can't really translate so well. So the real sense of humour of J.K.R. gets lost often. Here I've got an example for a not translatetable joke:



I don't really like the German translation because it sounds a little bit strange; the English language is better in this aspect that you can say something in a much shorter way. Maybe these are some reasons why I like the original versions more than the German ones.

---

Geschrieben von Annabelle Hermione am 05.07.2004 um 21:59:

 

Yes, the jokes are better and shorter. That's why the English books are also not as thick as the German ones.
The joke with the boggart in the 3rd film is also better than in the German version:

Lupin: Now all together: RIDDIKULUS!
The class: RIDDIKULUS!
Malfoy: This class is ridiculous!

But in German:
Malfoy: Wie im Kindergarten...

(Sorry for the German, just had to show the difference)

OK, bye!
AHO

---

Geschrieben von Scarlett am 06.07.2004 um 15:44:

 

but some kind of jokes are also funny in the german version of the book. but you are right so far, that they are a lot more shorter than in german.
I love the scene in the 5th book, where harry, ron and hermione meet gilderoy lockhart again in st. mungo.
"I can do joined-up writing now, you know!"
but back to topic
er... yeah what more could I say? I don´t thnk there is many intelligent for me to add

---

Geschrieben von Frick am 07.07.2004 um 03:07:

 

I prefer reading the original versions. As far as I'm concerned the German translations are - not only considering the jokes - less enjoyable and magical than the English ones. I don't know if it's up to the german language itself but I think the one who translated it is somehow incapable of doing it all right. Well, ok, I think it's rather difficult to translate the book properly (I'd been trying to do it by myself for my little sister last summer but gave up pretty soon because I was so eager to go on reading... )
Anyway, anyone who wants to try to read the english version just do it, you'll be delighted!! And as soon as you've finished the very first pages you won't recognise anymore that it's not your mother tongue!! ;-)
But I would advise to start with the first one because most of the foreign words of the wizarding world are explained there (Harry doesn't know the meaning of many of them eigther...)
once you're through with the books you'll even start to think in English. And thsi definetely IS some kind of improvement!!!

so don't be scared, you'll love it!!

---

Geschrieben von casandra am 07.07.2004 um 07:06:

 

There you all say that is also easy to read the original version. I will trust you and try it by my self. I hope so I become better in English.

so long cassy

---

Geschrieben von Siriusa am 07.07.2004 um 09:50:

 



Yeah, that's true! When I read all the books in english I could hardly stop thinking in english. Sometimes I even do not remember the german names! Like Buckbeak or Boggart... That's funny!

@ Casandra: that's cool that you want to read them all in english! It will really help you to prove your english and the best is, that you can read book 6 sooner! You don't have to wait for the german one!

---

Geschrieben von casandra am 07.07.2004 um 10:10:

 

@ Siriusa

Thats the real reason because i wil try to read the english books. So i can read the 6 book faster.

cu cassy

---

Geschrieben von Siriusa am 07.07.2004 um 15:20:

 

@ Casandra: That's exact the reason, why I read the english books and, of course, to improve my english. But it was very easy to read them. If you start with book 1 and then book 2 and so on... that's a good way. You can buy them at amazon.de and you pay only 30,00 € for all 5 books! That's cheap.

---

Geschrieben von Frick am 07.07.2004 um 15:38:

 

There's another positive feature: the english books are cheaper than the german editions... (most of them are already available as paperbacks, about 10 Euro each, cheapest at amazon or ebay but I doubt who'll find anyone who'll give their hp books away )

---

Geschrieben von stachelchen am 07.07.2004 um 16:16:

 

Oh, I've just seen that there are a lot more reasons why I prefer reading the english books, you are all right!

Of course the english books are cheaper! OK, when the Order of the Phoenix came out I paid 14,80€ (Hugendubel), but in May I bought the first four books in a box and I was so lucky because they've setted the price down for a few days so I only paid 24,99€! And then think about it, the german versions stay expensive all the time! And to wait for the cheaper version takes a lot of time...Then better improve your english with reading the english books .

It's right, I already started to think english, too. After reading ten minutes I was in the book and it really felt like english is my mother tongue. I'm happy that this is not crazy (as I used to think) but quite normal. I love this board here; I'm enjoying to exchange thoughts with other fans and readers here and that while writing in english!

And of course it's a real advantage when you read the english books because Klaus Fritz needs a half of a year or so to translate the books - I couldn't wait so long! I have to read the new book when it is offered the first day and not one second ( ) later!

I've also told a friend of mine to try and read the english books, because it's really easy and today she said to me that she will try it when the 6th book comes! She's got also mark one in english and so I think she won't have problems. Nothing can happen - but an improvement of your english!

---

Geschrieben von Annabelle Hermione am 07.07.2004 um 18:33:

 

The english books are alot cheaper!!
You can get them for barely 10 € at Hugendubel, the best bookstore ever in my opinion =))) !!!

---

Geschrieben von tinks am 07.07.2004 um 18:42:



Go ahead! The books are actually much funnier in english, because there are so many jokes that just cannot be translated - it's sadly impossible!
And if you read two books at the same time anyway, may I suggest reading the english and the german version of the same book? Much easier than looking all the unfamiliar words up in the dictionary one by one!

---

Geschrieben von casandra am 08.07.2004 um 07:45:

 

Hello again,

yesterda I started t read teh english books. I was only at the public library, and they only had HP and the goblet of fire and HP and the order of the phoenix this time. So I taken them to read. When I was at hoe I rigght away started to read. It´s not so easy for me because I havent´t any english lessons since four years ago. But with al littel help from my dictionary i make it. I´m not so wde only at Chapeter four but I will go on. And I konw in the end I succeed.

Thank yo for encourage me

so long cassy