German vs. English version of RTK-I

Index » RtK Volume 1

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Reply #1 - 2008 July 13, 6:29 am
chochajin Member
From: Japan Registered: 2008-07-13 Posts: 520 Website

Hello everybody,

I'm new here and decided some time ago that I wanna give the Heisig method a try. Or rather I'm determined to complete the whole book.
Currently I'm living and working in Japan, so basically I have only access to the English version of the book, but maybe it's still easier to work with a version of the book which is in your native language (German in my case)?

I thought I should ask the more advanced users of this site before I start with the book. I guess there are more stories in English available, too?

Generally what would you recommend to me?
Use the English version with the English keywords (although I might not understand all of the keywords and have to look them up in a dictionary)? Or use the German version where I have words I can understand without any problems, but might run into difficulties once I want to search for user stories here?
Furthermore I only have the sample German version of the book. As far as I know the German version of the book is not available here in Japan and I don't want to waste time by searching and waiting for the book to be delivered.


Suggestions? smile


Thanks a lot.
Read you soon again, I guess (^-^)/

Reply #2 - 2008 July 13, 6:42 am
HerrPetersen Member
From: Germany Registered: 2007-01-02 Posts: 238

I come from Germany too, but went with the English version. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably go with the German version. I will list the pros and cons for using the German version that pop into my mind:
pro German version:
+you will understand most of the keywords (yes maybe only most - some are quiet strange)
+making stories of your own is definitaly easier in your mother language, even if you are pretty comfortable with the english language

anti German version:
+the kanji.koohii-website uses english keywords (you can use a script available in the "site enhancements by users" (or similar)-post to change those to the german version)
+i dont think there is german version of RTKIII, so once you finish rtk1 you have to switch to the english version.
+the stories on the page are in english, so you might have to translate quiet a lot, and sometimes the keywords differ in meaning, so the stories wont fit at all
With that said, I still would recommend the German version, since the pro German points are more important than you think at first. Also Heisig recommends using the version of your mothertongue.
On the other hand it is quiet possible to do it in english, especially if you have internet-access to quickly find definitons of strange words.

Reply #3 - 2008 July 13, 7:10 am
Sequa Member
From: Germany Registered: 2006-11-02 Posts: 40

I am German and used the German version of the book. I think it doesn't really matter which version you use. If you can't understand the English keywords (I couldn't understand many, especially trees) you can look them up and learn English at the same time but usually those kanji aren't important anyway. But then I also didn't understand some German keywords ^^.
Sometimes the German and English keyword are completely different and in those cases the German meaning is much closer to the kanji's meaning than the English keyword I think. Those were the only cases when I made my own stories. When the meaning of the English and German keywords are the same (which they are in 95% I guess) you can easily use English stories.
I'd use the German version if you can get hold of it but probably you will be just fine with the English version as well.

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Reply #4 - 2008 July 13, 8:54 am
Matthias Member
From: Germany Registered: 2005-10-27 Posts: 37

If you have the choice go for the German version (or Japanese keywords if your Japanese is already good enough for this). The original version does not offer any advantages to you. You can still use the English RevTK stories except for the times that the English and German keywords differ completely. But in these cases you can be sure to be better off with the German keyword. Sequa is right "the German meaning is much closer to the kanji's meaning than the English keyword".

Don't know whether the Spanish or French versions are as good as the German version, but the German version is definitely an improvement and not a mere translation.

Reply #5 - 2008 July 13, 10:42 am
furrykef Member
From: Oklahoma City Registered: 2008-06-24 Posts: 191

Sequa wrote:

But then I also didn't understand some German keywords ^^.

It sounds like the German version has that in common with the English version, then. A lot of native English speakers don't understand some of the English keywords either.

- Kef

Reply #6 - 2008 July 13, 7:25 pm
chochajin Member
From: Japan Registered: 2008-07-13 Posts: 520 Website

Thanks everybody.

I've decided to go for the German version and after a great hint from somebody I was able to find the German version even on amazon.jp (via ISBN).

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