German composition : $b A theoretical and practical guide to the art of translating English prose into German · Hermann Lange
Chapter 6
Chapter 43 of 173 · 2 min read
FATHER. “Its uses are so various that I know not which to specify. It has been found very useful in deciphering (S. 1, N. 3) old manuscripts, and, indeed, has its use in modern prints. It will assist us greatly in acquiring all kinds of knowledge, and without it some of the most sublime parts of creation would be matters of mere conjecture. It must be confessed, however, that very much depends on a proper application of it, being (S. 30, N. 4) possessed by many persons who appear to have no adequate sense of its value, but who employ it only for the most low and common purposes, without even thinking, apparently, of the noble uses for which it is designed, or of the exquisite gratification (S. 16, N. 10) it is capable of affording. It is indeed in order to excite in your minds some higher sense of its value than you might otherwise have entertained, that I am giving you this previous description.”
GEORGE. “Well then, tell us something more about it (S. 4, N. 5, B).”
FATHER. “It is also of a very penetrating quality, and it can often discover secrets which can be detected by no other means. It must be owned, however, that it is equally prone to reveal them.”
Its — various = It serves for (+zu+) such (+so+) various purposes (+Zweck+, m.).
which — specify = which I shall specify (+anführen+).
It — useful = One has found it of great use.
and — prints = and also in (+bei+) our modern printing it is indeed of great use.
It — greatly = It helps us much.
+sich erwerben+; all kinds of, +allerlei+.
it = the same.
‘parts’ here +Gebiete+.
Use the gen. of the def. art.
matters = objects.
It — however = I must however confess.
Use the def. art.; proper = right; of it = of the same.
no — sense = a wrong idea (+Begriff+, m.).
+und.+
uses = purposes (+Zweck+, m.).
+unvergleichlich+, i.e. incomparable.
+Genuß+, m., i.e. enjoyment.
Say ‘Only to awaken in you a higher idea of its value than you probably (+vermutlich+) otherwise (+sonst+) would have had (Pluperfect Subj.), I give you this previous (+vorläufig+) description’.
of — quality = very penetrative (+scharfsichtig+).
Say ‘But (+Doch+) I must confess.
that — prone = that it is just as much (+eben so sehr+) prone; prone = disposed, +geneigt+.
them = the same, to agree with ‘secrets’.
Section 94.
A CURIOUS INSTRUMENT.
