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Shadows of Berlin


A captivating novel of a Berlin girl on the run from the guilt of her past and ...
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The author frequently uses phrases in German and Yiddish. Do you enjoy reading foreign phrases?

Created: 05/05/22

Replies: 12

Posted May. 05, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gloriak

Join Date: 02/25/21

Posts: 15

The author frequently uses phrases in German and Yiddish. Do you enjoy reading foreign phrases?

I do not speak German or Yiddish. The author frequently uses phrases in German and Yiddish. I would like to have a Glossary of the phrases translated into English that I could refer to. Do you , the reader, think a glossary is a good idea? Do you enjoy reading foreign phrases?


Posted May. 06, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melissa c.

Join Date: 01/10/21

Posts: 111

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

I am familiar with some Yiddish sayings/phrases from hearing the language spoken by certain family members. I also know a tiny bit of German from school. But I agree with Gloria, a glossary would have been very useful and helpful to get the full meaning the author intended. I very much enjoy reading foreign phrases and learning their meanings. It gives a much more "authentic" feel to the story being told


Posted May. 09, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
swchis39

Join Date: 09/26/12

Posts: 172

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

The amount of Yiddish and German were excessive. Sometimes you could understand commonly used words but for the most part there was no understanding. For awhile I wrote them all down and was going to ask a friend to translate.soon this became a tedious task


Posted May. 10, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cindyr

Join Date: 05/25/21

Posts: 28

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

I appreciate when an author uses the local language and phrases in their prose. I'm familiar with Yiddish and German, so I had no problem reading and understanding the translation in Shadow of Berlin. In previous novels, I've found it helpful when the author has woven the actual language and meaning together throughout the prose. There are authors who are able to write language changes seamlessly, so that reading the book is never disrupted. I can understand how some readers may have found the language flipping in Shadows in Berlin challenging to follow.


Posted May. 11, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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skagitgrits

Join Date: 02/24/17

Posts: 64

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

I personally found the use of German and Yiddish phrases gave the story a touch of authenticity. I understand a bit of German and could in many cases figure out the meaning of the Yiddish phrases through context and similarity to German. For those I didn't understand a quick Google search solved the problem. :)


Posted May. 13, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Molly Mae

Join Date: 02/12/22

Posts: 35

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

I don't mind some foreign language sprinkled into the story, but I felt like the author went overboard in this book. It became cumbersome to read, and I ultimately found getting through the book a chore.


Posted May. 13, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Navy Mom

Join Date: 04/12/12

Posts: 294

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

I did think the yiddish and German made the book more authentic and I have to laugh because my Grandmother used to say Schiesse and I have picked that up from her, instead of saying Darn. I had no idea it was a swear word! I just thought it was a sound a person made when confounded.


Posted May. 13, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

In this case, I did enjoy the inclusion of Yiddish & German words & phrases. I thought their inclusion was appropriate, and although I don't know either language I felt the narrative was clear enough. It added flavor without being confusing, in my opinion.


Posted May. 13, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyh

Join Date: 06/25/13

Posts: 347

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

Sorry I have come in late, busy family. My husband is gone fishing now for four days and I can catch up. Yes, I enjoy different phrases now that I have the ability to look them up on my Lap top. I never had an opportunity to learn anything but English, so this is a good way to learn something new.


Posted May. 15, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolt

Join Date: 03/25/17

Posts: 190

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

Yes! Normally, the author gives us the jist, which is just right.


Posted May. 18, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pstep50345

Join Date: 01/17/22

Posts: 7

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

I like the inclusion of foreign phrases when the meaning is clear or sufficient translation is provided. In this book, I did not feel that was the case. As others have mentioned, it would have been helpful to have a glossary.


Posted May. 23, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
beckys

Join Date: 08/12/16

Posts: 233

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

A little bit goes a long way , in my opinion, especially when there is no translation available... a glossary would have been extremely helpful!


Posted May. 25, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sharalynnep

Join Date: 12/04/11

Posts: 63

RE: The author frequently uses phrases ...

Only if it's in small doses. There was alot in this book and I found myself skimming over them. Probably works for someone who understands the translation but I could have done without them.


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