I began interested in reading due to Dune and GoT/House of the dragon series which introduced me to more fantasy/scifi series.
However, due to my lack of English, my attempt to read Dune, A song of Ice and Fire or even Lord of the Rings lacked enjoyment because I had the habit to analyze/breakdown each sentence grammerly from the way I learned English. Also, due to lack of vocabularies, searching words I don't understand for at least 4~5 sentences drained the experiences enjoyment, also. Overall, reading books feel like studying rather than enjoying.
Sadly, for my native language
1. there are many famous series missing ( no ASOIAF, wheel of time, Branden Sanderson, A name of wind, Hyperion etc).
2. the existing translated old series of Dune, LotR is translated by very old grandpa professors who were born in the 50s and they are translated in very boring formal way which feels like reading the constitution of the united states. The wit seen from the hobbits in LotR are absolutely no where to be found due to these old dead serious senior translators.
I wish I had English as my native language because I want so many series to read, (as mentioned above, ASOIAF, WOT, DUNE, Hyperion, books by Branden Sanderson)
Has any non native English speaker who wants to read fantasy/scifi books went through this? Do I just have to keep on reading even though I'm not enjoying
it but feel like studying, until I can read smoothly, effortlessly?
by Mediocre_Committee47
3 Comments
Are Brandon Sanderson books really hard to understand?
He writes in the most basic and boring way and feels like his books are for young adults.
I suggest you try young adult books and then when you’re more comfortable, try an adult book again.
Read books that are easier to read, like thriller fiction. Your English will improve eventually, then you can try chomping on the big books.
I’m doing something with German books that might be helpful to you.
I’m reading normally without interrupting to look up words, since this interrupts my flow and I just underline unknown words.
Then at some later point I translate all the words I’ve underlined and re-read those sentences.
Other than that I would say that after reading more books it will become easier. I’ve read quite a few English books at this point, initially it was harder, now it’s a breeze.