Have you ever read a book in a foreign language?
I just would like to know if I am the only one to feel like that.
When I read a book in my native language, I feel part of the story and feel like I build a sort of attachment with characters and their personalities. I get to know them so well that I could say they becomes my friends or enemies.
I've been reading different books in English lately and, despite I understand them and don't have any problems to read them, I feel like this bond that I usually develop with characters isn't as strong as it would have been if the book was in Italian. I just would like to know if any of you felt this way before! Thank you for your answers.

Question

Have you ever read a book in a foreign language?
I just would like to know if I am the only one to feel like that.
When I read a book in my native language, I feel part of the story and feel like I build a sort of attachment with characters and their personalities. I get to know them so well that I could say they becomes my friends or enemies.
I've been reading different books in English lately and, despite I understand them and don't have any problems to read them, I feel like this bond that I usually develop with characters isn't as strong as it would have been if the book was in Italian.  I just would like to know if any of you felt this way before! Thank you for your answers.

Answer

I think it also depends of our relationship with the language really. There are studies that affirm that if you learn a language when you are little (your native language) this language will be more linked to emotions and feelings, while the second language that you acquire as an adult, will be more logical and rational. Maybe this could be one of the possible answers as well.

Answer

I think that it depends on the book. I can feel bored while reading a Bulgarian book as well and the fact that Bulgarian is my mother tongue doesn't help. I like a book in a foreign language, when: 
1| the content/story is really interesting for me 
2| I do not have many unknown words
3| I like the style of the author
I read in French, English, and Russian and it is always a pleasure for me. This is one of the main reasons for me to love all "my' languages - they allow me to enter a world that would be inaccessible for me otherwise.

Answer

The same to me. I think it's because we have a deeper understanding of our native languages than a foreign language.
Actually, when I read foreign books or watch English films (with subtitles in my native), I have more chances to feel another language, another culture. I think the bond is not only about a language, it also relates to how much we are accustomed to its culture.

Answers · 3

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