Thursday, May 11, 2006
(10:22 AM) | Adam Kotsko:
Language Recommendations
Once my class over the De Trinitate is finished at the end of the month, I was considering picking up the Loeb edition of Augustine's Confessions and working my way through that as a way of practicing my Latin reading. I have no idea how long it would actually take me to read the whole thing -- I'd probably just set aside a certain amount of time every day or so and get done what I get done. For the Latin gurus out there, does this seem like a good choice for such a role? My impression is that Augustine represents at least something close to classical Latin, as opposed to the (reportedly) dumbed-down medieval Latin -- important because I want to be able to read the widest possible variety of Latin texts -- and of course there's also the intrinsic value of the text itself and its importance for my teaching and scholarly ambitions.Also, this summer I would like to try the strategy of reading pulp fiction in German in order to build reading confidence and fluency. Does anyone have any recommendations for particular authors who would be good for this kind of role? I'm primarily looking for spy thrillers or mystery novels. (I also hope to work my way through Jacob Taubes's Abendländische Eschatologie this summer. As a nice bonus, the copy I'm using -- obtained from an undisclosed source -- is signed by Taubes himself.)
For those hoping to improve their French listening comprehension, Anthony has informed me of a weekly French radio show about philosphy, available online. If anyone knows of a site where one could find a daily French newscast of approximately an hour in length, that would be much appreciated.
