tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post7077522240909290504..comments2024-03-20T19:40:58.078-05:00Comments on The OF Blog: Interesting to see one's own reviewing qualifications discussed, or irony is a bitch, huh?Larry Nolenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-83898682314270924232009-12-14T23:44:26.054-06:002009-12-14T23:44:26.054-06:00This is a bit embarrassing to share, but sometimes...This is a bit embarrassing to share, but sometimes my vocabulary gets mixed up and I start speaking in English words, which is fine and mighty when I talk in English class, but not as ideal, when talking with peers.Harry Markovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-84204293609180460972009-12-14T18:34:49.770-06:002009-12-14T18:34:49.770-06:00Harry,
Interesting take. I wonder if it might be...Harry,<br /><br />Interesting take. I wonder if it might be related to "code mixing" (switching so much between two languages that elements of the second influence the grammar of the first). That is something that affects me quite a bit with Spanish, especially after I've finished reading a novel in that language and thus have been thinking in it more consistently. My sentences often subvert the adjective-noun order, which isn't always bad, I suppose, but odd at times.<br /><br />Ana,<br /><br />Might just do that in the future, although for now I'll probably continue to be a curious lurker :DLarry Nolenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-73911042059145913972009-12-14T07:40:24.107-06:002009-12-14T07:40:24.107-06:00Larry,
Orkut communities accept replies only from...Larry,<br /><br />Orkut communities accept replies only from its members. Altough the discussion was as ankward as it should be, you would be welcome if you want to join us. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266473812070838408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-24718899665095464522009-12-14T00:23:43.679-06:002009-12-14T00:23:43.679-06:00I seem to have missed it on time, but I was out of...I seem to have missed it on time, but I was out of town then and couldn't catch up with my Google Reader. <br /><br />As far as this discussion goes I think that Mihai, Val, you and myself are examples that reviewing competently after reading in a second language is possible. <br /><br />To be quite frank I know my English better than I know my native tongue, but I think this also has to do with me being actively writing fiction in it that contributes to this.<br /><br />To be humble about it I am not a great reviewer or a critiquer, but I do know what I am talking about, when I start writing a review, because I always get my novel, body and soul with intent and small nuances. At least I think I do get my novels, since I have never gotten complaints stating that.Harry Markovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-569058620787218452009-12-11T11:40:55.932-06:002009-12-11T11:40:55.932-06:00Mihai,
I agree, and I've already done a few r...Mihai,<br /><br />I agree, and I've already done a few reviews of books written in/translated into Spanish that didn't differ in form, content, or depth of analysis than books I read in English. I think it's up to the reviewer to decide how much s/he grasps the novel and how far to explore topics.<br /><br />Jacques,<br /><br />I kinda agree, but I did find the discussion to be fascinating nonetheless, as it at least served as a challenge that I needed.<br /><br />Romeu,<br /><br />No problem! I wouldn't be praising the antho if I didn't think it added quite a bit to the expanding discourse on what constitutes Steampunk. Started re-reading it for the third time this morning (off work today).<br /><br />Adriana,<br /><br />Perhaps it was just common jealousy, but what fascinated me was this sense that there was a surprise that an estrangeiro would have a genuine curiosity about Brazilian SF. If anything, I'm more interested in Portuguese and Spanish SF/F than I am in Anglo-American writing. I'm fairly certain that I'm far from the only one. I just will try avoiding making the mistake that certain UK writers (McDonald, McAuley) have made in regards to depicting Brazil.Larry Nolenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-28416838332747568882009-12-10T12:29:04.831-06:002009-12-10T12:29:04.831-06:00I'm in this community, and I don't underst...I'm in this community, and I don't understand why people just don't believe that a foreigner can speak Portuguese. Occan's Razor fail, imho. I mean, there are people who know Klingon, why not Portuguese? Perhaps it's due the Brazilians' traditional lack of self-steem, but I think this topic's business was just common jealousy. xDAdriana Rodrigueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16572428234265609319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-57224470887513166992009-12-10T09:37:18.387-06:002009-12-10T09:37:18.387-06:00Hahaha, thanks, man! And congrats.Hahaha, thanks, man! And congrats.Romeu Martinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14510801528461536196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-613499853742250882009-12-10T09:20:59.233-06:002009-12-10T09:20:59.233-06:00Hi, Larry! Though I think that whole discussion is...Hi, Larry! Though I think that whole discussion is pretty stupid, I've linked this post to that topic.<br /><br />Hugs!Jacques Barciahttp://www.twitter.com/jacquesbarcianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-40851975065608968072009-12-10T05:16:02.309-06:002009-12-10T05:16:02.309-06:00OK, now I read and review in a second language for...OK, now I read and review in a second language for me. And one that is 85% self-taught, because besides the basic elements learned in school the rest came through movies, computer games and books. I am not certain if I should review in English, but most of my readings (of the favorite genre) comes from English and I enjoy reviewing in this language. I know that there are language subtilities or expressions that will escape me. I've also learned, from my language and from some Spanish courses I've attended, that there are a few language aspects that only a native speaker can sense them. Also I do not see myself as a professional reviewer or a critique, so I tend and try not to talk about the language used by an author. However, I do not see a problem in reviewing in a second language as long as I talk about the novel, its story, characters, strong and weak points. So, I believe that a reviewer writing in his second language can be a good or very good reviewer in that language (don't get me wrong, I am not talking about myself here :D).Mihai A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08534691063946241019noreply@blogger.com