Tips for Reading Foreign Languages

So, you're studying a foreign language and you find yourself facing a rather daunting text.  What do you do?

You could run away screaming, but you may not get that luxury if you're a student or using the text in a work assignment.

Or you could just be punishing yourself to further your vocabulary or comprehension skills.  Oooooor you could be suffering through notoriously difficult classical literature because you happened to see it at a second hand bookstore for an ABSOLUTE STEAL that it would have been criminal to pass up; the only drawback being that now you actually have to read the bugger.

So...this is me...here I am on book 1, page 22 of Marcel Proust's 7 book series A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu.  And here's how I'm tackling this monster...

Tip #1 : Put down the dictionary

It will only distract you as the temptation to open it every 5 words will be too great.  Factor in 10-line sentences peppered with commas and you'll quickly find yourself losing track of the meaning of the whole, for the sake of the meaning of just one word.  9 times out of 10 it will only be an incredibly obscure, archaic, mostly useless word anyway and you will get frustrated chasing after these red herrings.  

Reading through without a dictionary will also train you to read around the words you don't know and figure out the wider meaning through context - a very important skill.  Vocabulary is important too, though.  Note down new words as you go along and come back to them later; keeping track of the page number just in case you should need to come back to the context.

Tip #2: Take regular breaks

Trying to speed read foreign texts will get you nowhere.  You'll quickly find yourself zoning out and realise that instead of taking in anything at all from the text you have been day-dreaming about what you're going to have for dinner, or silently congratulating yourself on the progress that you are not making.  Regular breaks whenever you feel your mind wandering will keep you focused.

Tip #3: Treat yourself

Reading that early 20th Century 400-page classic French literature is not a chore, it's an opportunity for some "me" time.  Treat yourself to a bite to eat or a coffee in that new café that's opened up nearby or, if the weather's nice, head to your nearest beer garden for a crafty cocktail in the sun.  Just today I took my Proust with me to watch the FA cup semi-final and enjoy a milkshake and freshly-baked pretzels at Coast to Coast in Birmingham.  Granted I didn't get too much reading done during the football, but reading was a great way to look like less of a sad, lonely type during half-time!

Tip #4: Engage

No matter how stupid, boring or meandering the text you need to constantly challenge yourself that you are understanding what you are reading.  At logical breaks in the text ask yourself quick questions about what it happening, take brief notes about important plot points or character traits that you can come back to later.  Try as much as you can to place yourself in the scene, and keep it light.  Writing irreverent or amusing notes can really cement a story and characters in your head and will make it easier to follow their progress going forward.  As a suitable sign off, here is what I believe I have learnt from pages 14 - 22 of Du côté de chez Swann:

• Plot - What has happened? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!
• There are too many characters.  None of them have names except for M. Swann.  Let me get out my family tree...this is War & Peace all over again!
• Character - M. Swann - consequential character of no apparent personality.  He has a wife and a dead father.  He is protagonist's neighbour.  He seems to be a social pariah of sorts and figure of derision.
• Character - the great aunt - stubborn cow who contradicts popular opinion for no good reason.  Not a fan of M. Swann on account of his lack of breeding/class - snob!
• Character - the grandmother - opposite of great aunt.  A bit too fluffy.  Seems to like everyone.
• Character - the protagonist - whiny bitch who doesn't like M. Swann (or any other visitors for that matter), as whenever they have company at home he is made to go to bed slightly early and without that (slightly too) cherished kiss from Mummy.  He does usually still get a kiss, but he seems to prefer to be undressed, alone with Mummy, and in bed for this, rather than fully dressed and in company.  Definite Oedipal complex in the making!

Language learning can be tough and unforgiving - you've got to search for your own rewards, so whatever you're doing be creative and have fun!