Reading Beowulf in Old English? GREAT IDEA.

[yuuago]

I suppose I've been quiet lately. Not commenting as much as I should. Sorry about that. I'm still around, just feeling distracted.

Comments

[const_victoria]

Ahhh, I just can't help myself when I enter a bookstore. When shopping online, at least there is some kind of dictance between you and a book. On the other hand, knowing that you can just physically pick it up from the shelf and, voila it's immediately yours... Argh.

Well, unfortunately, I'm totally ignorant when it comes to Middle English, but I have a lot to do with Old East Slavic, which is to Russian what Middle English is to English, and I agree that it's not really a different language, just different stages of development (in both cases). But it's still an interesting and quite useful thing to learn, imo! Although its usefulness is not that evident and pales in comparison with what knowing foreign languages can bring, I think it really helps to penetrate your own language deeper and see it as a ever-changing construct, not a static system.

...Um, at least that's how it worked for me. *dusts off her soapbox*

And sorry to hear those weeks has been tough. I hope it gets better for you soon.

[yuuago]

I know, eh. I think that's precisely it. Knowing that you immediately have it. And sometimes just the physical aspects of the book are enough -- if it's online, I can't tell whether the paper has a nice texture, or the cover is unusual material, or if it has interesting internal design. A book that is physically beautiful is very hard for me to resist if I see it in real life. orz

[hokuton_punch]

Ahhhhh, dear, you really shouldn't feel so bad about being monolingual. D: LANGUAGES IS HARD, there is no shame in this. And learning Middle English well is still a challenge, I support you in this! ... also in learning Old English, too! GOOD LUCK. *hugs*

[yuuago]

I realize I shouldn't, but... well. Emotions do stupid things sometimes. [/kicks those feelings of inadequacy]

I think maybe what I will try to do is just... read things, and see how I feel from there, whether I want to penetrate Middle English deeper (... that sounds Questionable, but you know what I mean). Because gods know I still have plenty of books with good stories that I haven't read yet. (I've been meaning to read The Weddynge of Syr Gawen and Dame Ragnell for ages, but no time.)

Old English might be, uh, a bit more of a challenge. I'm starting to wonder if I'm crazy for even wanting to attempt it. :Va On the other hand it isn't as if the book was much money and it is very heavily glossed and I already know the story and -- but then again I probably won't really be able to read it -- HOKUTO HELP I'M STARTING TO DOUBT MYSELF

[hokuton_punch]

DO NOT DOUBT YOURSELF! Old English is - well, okay, I haven't really studied it myself but I doubt it is very hard! Germanic languages are fairly reasonable, as these things go. *hugs* I THINK YOU CAN TOTALLY DO IT.