Short Stories in Spanish: New Penguin Parallel Text (New Penguin Parallel Texts)
by Various, John L. King
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Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Salesrank: 45858
Released: 2001-01-02List Price: $15.00
Our Price: $8.51
Used Price: $8.00
Media: Book
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Customer Reviews:
Not exactly a literal translation. (2008-02-19)
When I look for parallel text books, it is important to me that each book does an accurate job translating the original Spanish into its exact English equivalent. These books are training aids, and as such, I feel they need to uphold that accuracy as best as possible.
However, this book takes some liberties. The authors will take Spanish phrases and words, and mold them into English phrases and words that are chosen by their own taste in vocabulary. For the student who is learning one language or the other, it would seem very helpful if authors did not dance around a translation to make it sound good in English. I would much prefer a literal translation so that I can study the structure of each sentence, and note how the words are being used in context. When I read the word “tiempo precioso,” I expect to see “precious time” in English, not “valuable time,” or some other synonym. The latter phrase is not only used regularly in English, but it is a direct translation. This, of course, is an utmost basic example.
Once you highlight the loose interpretations in the book, you can continue studying the rest of the language. The stories are diverse and interesting enough to want to continue reading. I agree with other reviewers in that they are a bit dark in nature, but entertaining nonetheless.Challenging for Beginners (2008-02-17)
I love, love, love the Allende story, but generally found the stories selected for this book dark and depressing. No matter, I’m sure that many won’t agree with me. I just want to note that the vocabulary and sentence structure can be pretty challenging (I’m about intermediate), so this might not be suitable for beginners, but might be just what someone who is more advanced is looking for.not for me (2007-10-23)
I know, these are supposed to be great literary works. Sorry, not very interesting!Challenging! (2006-03-13)
Not quite as simple as I’d anticipated before purchase. If you are a beginner this would be a good book to help practise pronounciation - if you have someone around to correct you. As an intermediate learner this book is quite challenging especially since you translate the Spanish ‘literally’ and the English version is a proper translation, so after that initial shock it’s quite good reading. However, you also have to get over the idiomatic expressions. The stories are quite good otherwise and make a great read in English if the Spanish is too difficult.
Excellent learning tool (2006-03-13)
This book begins with easy stories, mostly in present tense. It progresses to more difficult stories. The stories are by Latino authors, so you have the additional bonus of Latino culture with the stories. The back of the book gives brief information about the authors. It includes exercises, some to be answered orally and others written, and a Spanish glossary. It’s a good tool to have in your “bag of tricks” for learning and improving your Spanish.
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