German composition : $b A theoretical and practical guide to the art of translating English prose into German.

Learning to write a language, not just read it, is its own discipline. This guide sets out to teach the careful art of turning English prose into good German.

What it's about

German Composition is a theoretical and practical guide to the art of translating English prose into German. It combines explanation of grammatical and stylistic principles with worked examples and passages for practice, leading the student from the rules of construction toward the ability to render English into correct and idiomatic German.

Themes

The book reflects a classic approach to language learning in which translation, or composition, is the central exercise and close attention to grammar, idiom and structure is the path to mastery. It is concerned with accuracy, style and the differences between the two languages that a translator must learn to negotiate.

Why it still matters

Composition manuals of this kind embody a rigorous, methodical tradition of language instruction whose disciplined approach to grammar and translation still has value. For students of German and for those interested in the history of language teaching, it offers both practical exercises and a glimpse of how the language was once taught.

Who it's for

Learners of German working on their written command of the language, teachers and students of translation, and anyone who appreciates a thorough, traditional grammar-and-exercise approach to language study.