Improving your expression in and knowledge of English through intensive
comparison and contrast with German: that is the main purpose of this
course. Translation is a powerful tool for improving your proficiency
because it uses your native language - your semantic bedrock that all
your explorations in the second language build up from. You learn to
think from words and structures to meanings - translation sensitizes you
to the nuances of style and meaning better than anything other language
learning activity. By contrasting the meanings of words and syntax, you
can move away from literal (whatever that means!) translations to
meaning (whatever that is!). When you think about it, any real
interaction with an author or a person speaking involves acts of
translation - the deeper the engagement, the more challenging and
fruitful the translation.
- Kursleiter*in: Robert Segrott