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← Old Words, Read Aloud · Lesson 4 of 4

One line, two translations

About it

A translator chooses words, just as a writer does. Put two English translations of the same line side by side and they will differ: one closer to the original words, one closer to how English would say it.

Reading aloud helps you hear the difference. Ask which one sounds more natural, and which one keeps more of the original.

There is rarely a single right translation. Comparing two is a good way to notice what words do.

One question

Two translations of one line are different. Which question helps most when you compare them?

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