Reading A Novel In A Foreign Language 01 | The Setup!

Reading a novel in a foreign language is a big challenge but incredibly rewarding, so let's walk through the process step by step together! Today we discuss my ideal setup 📚

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The introduction video to the project:

[elisabethrichard]

Reading novels in a foreign language is a different experience each time for polyglots. 

The first time I read a novel in a foreign language was Harry Potter in English, because I didn't have the patience to wait for the translation to come out, but I was nervous because I didn't think I was going to be able to do that. It turned out I was, and aside from some unknown vocabulary, it went smoothly. I must already have been a somewhere between B2 and C1 back then.

The second language I tried to read a novel in was Swedish. Looking back I guess my level was a solid B1. I had to read one novel in Swedish per semester that year, and this was something I wasn't ready at all to do, but was obligated to. The first book I picked was really short, and the story was super simple and kind of uninteresting. I basically picked the closest thing to a children's book I could find. I made it through the book, with great difficulty, but it didn't feel like I had accomplished anything. For the second book, I picked a much bigger one, but about a theme I was interested in. At first I was struggling so much! Honestly if it hadn't been for my university degree, I would have abandoned. My problem was I was trying to look up too many words in the dictionary. Not only did it interrupt my flow, I couldn't even remember the words' meaning 30 seconds later. It felt like going through gibberish. So instead of giving up, I did the closest thing: just working my way through the book as quickly as possible without ever looking anything up in the dictionary. I thought this was going to be an epic fail but at least I would be able to write a paper, and at that point I just didn't care what grade I would get, just get this over with and be done with it! Much too my surprise, this was exactly the right strategy for me. Without the constant dictionary interruptions, after a few reading sessions and a few dozen pages, the story suddenly started making sense and I was able to enjoy the rest of the book beautifully! So now it's my go to strategy: NEVER LOOK ANYTHING UP (unless a specific word keeps coming up so much that I just get super curious about it). I've learned that when reading a novel, because it's a long story that you gradually get more and more familiar with, you can keep reading even with A LOT of unknown words. Just read through it whether you understand it or not, and your brain will magically start filling in some of the blanks after a few pages. It's so weird but it works.

Now I recently started reading book in Finnish. And I'm only an A2 in Finnish so I figured this strategy may not work and indeed it didn't. So the strategy I ended up adopting was pretty much what you described:
- I picked a book I had already read and liked (Harry Potter, again)
- I ended up buying the e-book in English on my phone
- I read one page in Finnish, then I read the same passage in English on my phone
- I underline some interesting yet simple sentences and write down what they mean in English (Yes, I write on my books, sue me! :-p )
- Later on, I gather these Finnish sentences and their original English version and write them down in my vocabulary notebook (I use the Goldlist method)

[barrhy]

You are such an inspiration and a motivation for us language learners

[SORAENGLISH]

The original text in the target language, a translation version in your native language and an audio book ( or a film adaptation of the book) is my favorite setup as well!
Personally, I find it hard to finish a book in a foreign language, especially fictions, without the aid of audio/ visual materials.

[NihonDiary]

I've been looking forward to this so much!! I started reading a little already ;) only because it takes me about 10 minutes per page lol

[EvelineUK]

I am Dutch (now living in the UK), and at school we had to read 15 books in Dutch, 12 in English and 10 in any other language (I took German). You had to write a book report on it, and then study those for your oral exams, where you would have a chat with your teacher about these books. It put a lot of students of reading ever again. ;) I happen to love reading, and read almost exclusively in English now. I am currently learning Italian, and am nowhere near ready to read an actual book, but have picked up an 'easy reader' ('graded reader') and am reading my first short stories. Love it! Being able to read a full novel in Italian is a huge goal! Who knows, maybe this time next year I'll be able to join your book club. ;)

[lynntfuzz]

I'm all ready! I got the book in German, English and Spanish. LOL. I read about 5 pages in each last night. Very interesting book.

[mayrose]

I started reading La Sombra Del Viento because I'm just borrowing it from the library and no spoilers but y'all... It's so enchanting 😍

[KateWitt]

Robin posts a video and I say OUT LOUD "Oh! HI ROBIN!!"
Like he just walked in and sat down for a chat.
:D

[LisaHerger]

I bought the book in Italian. It's arriving tomorrow. I can't wait to get started!

[blindschach]

Just to say: you have all the right to do self promotion, Robin! Cheers

[nancygoldenberg]

I've been trying to read "Tintinherz" in German - had I known it was 560 pages long beforehand I doubt I would have selected it. However, I was able to download the English translation ("Inkheart") audiobook from the library and it helped immensely. Now when I read I have a general idea of what is going on and so I don't need to look up as many words. And I'm almost halfway through! The book club is a great idea and I hope to participate (although I'll probably be reading Tintinherz for the next 3 months).

[LittletriniWeeb]

Me sitting here drinking my cup of tea ☕️ happy to “cheers” with you for language learning!

[kalitime]

Yes! I've really been looking forward to this.

[sabrigandulfo]

I love journaly! and cant wait for the bookclub to start :) you keep me motivated!

[amanojaku]

I'm currently reading novels in 6 foreign languages.

Echo Park (Harry Bosch series) by Michael Connelly (Brazilian Portuguese)
Los Cañones de Navarone by Alistair MacLean (Spanish)
Alt Risc by Ken Follett (Catalan)
Il Rapporto Pelican by John Grisham (Italian)
À la Poursuite d'Octobre Rouge by Tom Clancy (French)
Blackout by Simon Scarrow (English)


Reading in a foreign language is twice as fun as reading in your native tongue.

[David-uyot]

I find the idea interesting but I have to confess I wish you had chosen a not so long book to begin :-) My target languages are currently German and Swedish, I am like B1 in both but I somehow feel that trying to read La sombra del viento in those languages will take me so much time that the experience will probably be discouraging since I would probably have the feeling that I don't progress.

[JonathanOlelo]

So exciting!
Well done again for starting this project

[rolandthibault]

I am usually a patient person, but I am really wondering when you are going to start. Can't wait.

[schoolingdiana]

I FOUND ONE!!! Amazon just had it listed in Norwegian for $68, but AbeBooks.com also had one just listed **for only $15 after shipping.** Woo hoo! Result!! My first novel in Norwegian! I’m so excited! (I’ve read novels in German before, so I’m super stoked to do it in this language, too.)

[michaelshort]

I just ordered the book in Swedish., I hope it arrives on time :D