Borges taught himself German to be able read Arthur Schopenhauer in its original language. Interestingly he also learned to read Italian by reading an English t

Borges taught himself German to be able read Arthur Schopenhauer in its original language. Interestingly he also learned to read Italian by reading an English translation of the Divine comedy with the original text in one page and the translation in the other. The translation was by John Carlyle, Thomas' brother.