Hi, Ardith Hinton! -> Alexander Koryagin
I read your message from 20.01.2022 01:34

 AK>> I believe that now in the USA there should be a simplified version
 AK>> of IVANHOE, as it is for the Bible.

 AH> I found simplified versions of Shakespeare's words when I looked up
 AH> a phrase in which I was uncertain about the spelling... but AFAIC
 AH> much was lost that way. The author of IVANHOE used the language of
 AH> Shakespeare & of the King James Bible... which his audience would
 AH> have been familiar with... to represent the Old English which his
 AH> medieval characters would have used. If the language were too
 AH> authentic, few people would be able to understand it... if it were
 AH> too modern, as in "you'll blow your cover", the effect would be
 AH> lost.

It seems true, although it was a Russian translation of IVANHOE that I read first, and I liked it very much. IMHO, it depends on the translator who must have a good sense of humour. If a translator is a serious pedant IMHO he cannot translate such things. Although, formally, everything can be translated correctly.

 AH> My experience as a junior high school teacher is that if Johnny (or
 AH> his father) read some children's edition of e.g. HUCKLEBERRY FINN
 AH> before he was old enough to appreciate the original Johnny may
 AH> refuse to accept further input WRT the subject because he is quite
 AH> convinced he's already mastered it.... :-Q

The heptateuch about Harry Porter is more important for the young generation. ;--)

 AH> If you don't feel ready to tackle some particular work yet, I would
 AH> suggest you make a mental note & be patient. I gave up on WAR AND
 AH> PEACE when I first tried to read it because I couldn't keep the
 AH> names straight... but then I met you & other folks here who were
 AH> able to explain how Russian names work, the library introduced a
 AH> system where I didn't have to go downtown to find out what editions
 AH> were available besides the one at our local branch, and various
 AH> people shared their interpretation of the cast of characters on the
 AH> Internet. I found one which included a few errors but printed it &
 AH> modified it as I saw fit.

Getting red -- I haven't read WAR AND PEACE. ;) I didn't find the crooks to get hooked. At least after seeing a movie with the same name.

Bye, Ardith!
Alexander Koryagin
english_tutor 2022

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