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I heard sometime the best language to read Russian literature in (besides Russian) is Dutch, you know anything about this?
by dddw 2y ago
I heard sometime the best language to read Russian literature in (besides Russian) is Dutch, you know anything about this?
- drysine 2y agoNo, I haven't heard about that, but that's interesting. Russia learned a lot from Dutch during Peter the Great's time, but I can't make a connection to literature from that. Perhaps, just similar national characters?
- dddw 2y agoDirectness is definitly part of both national characters indeed. I asked the toasters, they said this about it: Yes, Russian literature tends to translate well into Dutch, and there are a few reasons for that: 1. Linguistic Similarities in Syntax and Tone – While Dutch and Russian are from different language families, both can handle long, complex sentences without losing clarity. Dutch, like Russian, allows for a mix of formal and informal tones within a single text, which helps maintain the nuance of Russian literature. 2. Cultural Compatibility – Dutch readers appreciate introspective, philosophical, and existential themes, which are common in Russian literature. Authors like Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov resonate well with Dutch audiences because of their deep psychological exploration and social critique. 3. Strong Translation Tradition – The Netherlands has a long history of translating world literature with high quality. Dutch translators often work directly from Russian rather than relying on intermediary languages like English or French, preserving the original style and meaning. 4. Directness and Emotional Depth – Russian literature is known for its raw emotional depth and directness, qualities that align well with Dutch communication norms. This makes Russian novels feel more natural in Dutch than in some other languages that might soften or rephrase certain expressions. Many Dutch readers have a strong appreciation for Russian classics, and some Dutch authors have even been influenced by them.
- drysine 2y agoHmm, is there some Dutch book you'd recommend to a Russian?
- dddw 2y agoGerard Reve - De avonden (Вечерa) Arnon Grunberg comes to mind as a more contemporary writer, but couldn`t find a Russian translation.
- drysine 2y agoSadly, I've failed to find[0] that Russian translation even though Russian wikipedia mentions it (albeit saying it's a partial translation) and provides an ISBN[1]. There are Russian translations of some books by Arnon Grunberg[2][3], namely De heilige Antonio, Fantoompijn, Tirza, De geschiedenis van mijn kaalheid and a few very short stories. Which one of these would you recommend? [0] https://annas-archive.org/search?q=Герард+Реве https://annas-archive.org/search?q=Герард+Реве [1] https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Реве,_Герард#Избранная_библиография https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Реве,_Герард#Избранная_библиог... [2] https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Грюнберг,_Арнон#Публикации_на_русском_языке https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Грюнберг,_Арнон#Публикации_на_... [3] https://annas-archive.org/search?q=Арнон+Грюнберг https://annas-archive.org/search?q=Арнон+Грюнберг
- dddw 2y agoAnd Peter the great is just an amazing interesting chracter, must be said. I still intend to collect a beardtax coin one day.
- drysine 2y agoBe careful, they are quite expensive and sometimes forged: https://www.m-dv.ru/catalog/id,6524/prohod.html https://www.m-dv.ru/catalog/id,6524/prohod.html