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German Composition is a specialised textbook that presents a systematic approach to translating English prose into idiomatic German. The preface makes clear that the work is intended for students who have completed the fiftieth lesson of the author’s “German Manual,” but it also accommodates any learner with a solid grasp of German inflection and some experience reading German literature. The book is organized around a large collection of extracts taken from prominent modern English and American writers, each accompanied by biographical sketches, detailed notes, and an extensive appendix of grammatical rules. The author emphasizes a step‑by‑step method: first oral translation with classroom notes, then written translation, followed by repeated practice until the student can render the passage unaided. The text is designed to meet the requirements of university and civil‑service examinations that demand proficiency in English‑German translation.
The voice is that of a late‑Victorian pedagogue, combining scholarly rigor with a didactic tone typical of 1880s language manuals. Lange’s style is dense and explanatory, offering both theoretical commentary and practical examples, while frequently referencing contemporary publications and the recent German spelling reform. Readers who enjoy meticulous language instruction, particularly those studying German at an advanced secondary level, preparing for university entrance exams, or interested in historical approaches to translation, will find the book’s thoroughness and period‑specific perspective most rewarding.
PREFACE. ‘German Composition’ is intended to be a Theoretical and Practical Guide to the Art of Translating English Prose into good and idiomatic German. It is arranged in such a manner that students who have reached the fiftieth Lesson of the ‘German Manual’ may commence and advantageously use it conjointly with that book. Being complete in itself, it is likewise adapted for the use of any other students who, possessing a knowledge of German Accidence and having had some practice in reading German Prose, wish to acquire the Art of Translating English Prose into German. The book is calculated to serve the requirements of the B.A. …
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