How many of you are reading books written in your native language?
By alphenor
@alphenor (686)
Philippines
July 15, 2011 1:26pm CST
Last Tuesday prior to the date I've posted this, our Philippine History teacher was talking about how our country was living like a colony of America when it comes to academics and literature. Most of the books being read in our country is and English, and only textbooks and a notable few books are written in Tagalog, Bisaya, and other Philippine native languages.
He also mentioned that those countries that were not under western colonization have more books written in their country's native language/s than those that were under colonization. One of the countries he mentioned was Indonesia - where people he have asked do not know famous books like Harry Potter and Twilight.
He even told us to TRY ask some people from other countries if they read books written of their native language.
Now, just for the sake of curiosity, how many of you does? And does your country have more books written in your country's native languages than those of the foreign?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
16 Apr 12
I live in Denmark and I usually read books in Danish or in English. In the Danish shops most of the books are in Danish, we can buy a few English books, but it is much, much easier to find Danish books. Many of the books are written by Danish authors, but we can also find international books that have been translated to Danish. I often buy Danish books in second hand shops or borrow them at the library. If I am interested in an English book that hasn't been translated to Danish I am often unable to find it in the shops, so I have to buy it online.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
17 Apr 12
Sometimes the translations are quite good, and I get the impression that the person who translated the book translated the intention behind the sentence and not just the sentence 
Sometimes the translations aren't great. When I read the Danish version of the book I can see that they translated the sentences word for word and didn't manage to transalate that actual meaning of the sentences. I can guess the original sentence in English because I understand both Danish and English, and it is annoying to read a bad translation of the book. Unfortuneately we can't uy the orginal version in my country, so we have to read the translation unless we buy the original version on the internet. The translations in the Philippines sound even worse, and I understand why you prefer the English version.
Sometimes the translations aren't great. When I read the Danish version of the book I can see that they translated the sentences word for word and didn't manage to transalate that actual meaning of the sentences. I can guess the original sentence in English because I understand both Danish and English, and it is annoying to read a bad translation of the book. Unfortuneately we can't uy the orginal version in my country, so we have to read the translation unless we buy the original version on the internet. The translations in the Philippines sound even worse, and I understand why you prefer the English version.
@veedee13 (242)
• United States
7 Aug 11
I'm filipino that lives in california but since i don't understand and can't speak fluent tagalog i only read books in english.It's sad that i can't speak the language that my family grew up in but i can't do anything about it.I'm learning how to though by watching tagalog shows and stuff and soon i will be reading books in tagalog hopefully.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
7 Aug 11
In tamil nadu, India - english medium education is preferred by the middle class and upper class people. However majority study in tamil medium upto 12th class.(+2). In fact some degree programs are conducted in tamil also.
Japan -- I understand they study in japanese language fully. In China also mandarin is the main medium of instructions
@alphenor (686)
• Philippines
7 Aug 11
Japan is very strict in terms of their culture..but there are some sites that teach English to Japanese people (I don't really know where they'll use it). Same is to China (I think).
In the case of India, at least somehow their native language have a major part in their studies.
@alphenor (686)
• Philippines
15 Jul 11
I wonder why you've said English and when I've learned you're from USA, everything was clear.
It's understandable that most books in USA are in English since USA is once an informal colony of the British. It was Anglo-Saxon back then that spread English language in America, which that time was populated by brown natives (like the ones in Pocahontas). Some of the Anglo-Saxon married natives and settled there for good. The natives' tongue cannot completely imitate Anglo-Saxon's diction which lead to now known as American English.
For the other countries, both British and Americans have their own influences - one of the Americans' is the Philippines.
It's understandable that most books in USA are in English since USA is once an informal colony of the British. It was Anglo-Saxon back then that spread English language in America, which that time was populated by brown natives (like the ones in Pocahontas). Some of the Anglo-Saxon married natives and settled there for good. The natives' tongue cannot completely imitate Anglo-Saxon's diction which lead to now known as American English.
For the other countries, both British and Americans have their own influences - one of the Americans' is the Philippines.
@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
16 Apr 12
I live in Hungary, and we use Hungarian primarily, so most of the books sold and read are in Hungarian. I rarely read in any other languages, because even though I speak English fairly well, it still needs some mindwork and energy to perceive English texts, let alone novels with their own grammatical and syntactical nuances, and I like reading as an activity. I sometimes read in English, when I feel like improving my knowledge or if I need a book for university work (as I learn English at the university).
