Hey there !
As I’ve been publishing more bilingual reviews lately, I thought maybe you would like to know how I am writing them 😊
So first thing, the same way apply as regular english-only reviews; meaning I do write it as I go along with my book to prepare the scheduling to be quick and easy upon finishing the book (and so it doesn’t stand in my draft for years afterward *aherm*)
I then decide which language I wanna have first and which of the two will be following in italic; most of the time english will be the one being presented first. Having a blog in english usually have my “review voice” instintctly in english.. so that’s a pretty easy decision..
After each of my reading seances, i’ll add my views and thoughts in the draft I had started- As said above, I’ll write them in english first and i’ll try my best to translate them in french and I keep going until I’ve finished the book and all my thoughts have been written.
- Though I am a french person, the translating of my thoughts can be a little hard sometimes.. as every languages have their “catchphrases” and stuff that make sense in them, but isn’t a thing while translated in another language
- I am still tweaking on my french.. Usually i’d write with how I speak normally; though the problem here is it’s a very “New-Brunswick’s Canadian” way of speech, so if someone would be reading it from France per exemple, they may not understand what I trying to say xD So I am struggling a bit to find my middle between basic french and a writting that feels like me.
Do you enjoy my bilingual reviews?
Is there anything you think I could do better with them ?
Just English 😁
I don’t know French so I can’t really speak specifically to your bilingual reviews, but being bilingual myself (English and Chinese) I totally feel the struggle of translating! it’s hard when idioms and sentence structure don’t match up, and it feels like you have to simultaneously rewrite everything so that it makes sense. major kudos to you for sticking with it! 👏
Aww thank you!
Kristina I would love to read your New Brunswick French!!!
Ahahah!
From where I grow up, it’s old french words mixed with our lovely neighbor Quebec’s words (mostly for their swear words.. aherm) and word like « encarcaner » which is tripping and falling on something.
Then you have my current town’s who speaks « chiac », aka sentences having both french and english spoke at the same time xD
Like Isabelle (since we both speak English and Chinese), I get the translating! Then we get into regions so if I’m writing something that can be understood by someone in Shanghai, someone from Beijing might get confused. Plus there are SO many different meanings for ONE Chinese character.
I think you do great with bilingual reviews – you try your best, and I think that’s all that matters in the long run. 🙂
Aww thank you 🙂
Yeah! Same with french.. you have the « basic » french for everyone to understand.. then even in the canadian bracket all of us speaks different depending on where we are
Although I don’t speak French, I think it’s great that you are writing reviews in your native language, as well as in English! I would totally do this as well if I was fluent in another language, but alas, I can only really speak English haha. I think it’s wonderful how diverse and international the book community is! Thanks for being awesome!
Aww thank you! 💕
How interesting that you write reviews in two languages. Seems like a great idea!
Thank you ! I figured why not, as maybe some french people can stumble on them too somehow.
I’ve always wanted to be able to write bilingual posts…or at least translate my posts into another language but since I’m not exactly fluent in any other language, other than English (and sarcasm 😉 ) I can’t. I love that you’re doing bilingual reviews though! I think the most important thing, is that you’re trying your best.
Whilst I can’t relate with translating from one language to another, I can relate to the different sayings, phrases and words English UK uses vs English US use. It’s amusing sometimes because certain phrases, sayings can clearly show the person reading, you’re from the UK.
Aww thank you very much !!
Yeah, Canadian english have some “habits” from the UK more than the US xD im thinking of the “flavour” instead of “flavor” and thoses type of things.. (also saying “Autumn” instead of “fall”)
I’ve been debating whether to start doing bilingual blog posts too! I’m English but I’m also studying Spanish, French and recently Japanese – I think it’s a great way to practice and improve your language! Keep it up ✨
Evie x | http://www.eviejayne.co.uk
Definately!
Writing posts in my second language helped me quite alot, as well as reading in it!
I think you should try it, if you wanna do it 🙂
I wish I could read your reviews in French 🙂 Maybe I’ll try but I have to say I would not have thought English was your second language. I didn’t even realize that at first 🙂
Ahh thank you 🙂
My writting is quite better than speaking as we have more time to think than in actual conversations xD Alex is pure english so the first couple of months with his was kinda rough ahahah im getting better though! Not needing as much time to think of my words
That is so interesting! I only read the English reviews, because I don’t know French, but I love the idea of your bilingual reviews so much, I’m always tempted to just try and learn French just so I can read them. Haha.
ahah awww thank you !
That’s so cool that you write bilingual reviews 🙂
Thank you!
Im doing my best 🙂 at first I wasn’t even sure if people would like it nor how to do them 😅
I could maybe write my reviews in Dutch because sometimes I read in Dutch but I am not so good with grammar and I am worried that would show in my review! I think it is brilliant that you do billingual reviews though ^.^
To be fair, i still do some errors in english too! 😅 so ithink you should try it nonetheless if you really want to!