Is it unwise to collect books written in their original foreign language for historical purposes?

[Skyros]

An example would be Homer’s Odyssey in Greek.

[DishLady]

Why would that be unwise? That's how it used to be done by those who wanted a proper library. Sure, keep a viable translation shelved next to it, but a lot of references don't make sense in English, for example. You need to know and immerse yourself in the reading, which is a journey into an entire world.

[Skyros]

Thank you, that was a pretty answer.

[purplepoppy]

Ancient greek isn't like modern Greek so it would be difficult to understand. Old foreign works can be difficult to read because the rhythm of the original is lost in translation.

Quite often there's more than one translation so looking at different versions might be a better bet.

[Pohjolan]

Depends on whether you understand said language or not.

When you become fluent in a language you understand some nuances and details better.

[Anonymous]

If you can't speak the language, you won't understand the books, what's the point?

[Opinion Owner]

Thanks for the MHO

[AI Opinion]

Collecting books written in their original language for historical purposes can be incredibly valuable. It provides a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context of the work. Original texts often offer nuances lost in translation, enhancing appreciation and scholarship. If you have the ability to understand the language or are willing to research and learn, it can be a deeply rewarding endeavor. Plus, historical languages, like Homeric Greek, can connect you to ancient traditions and thoughts in their purest form.

[jennifer_bloom]

I love foreign languages but too busy to learn them. Greek is definitely one of the more interesting ones.

[slatyb]

For historical purposes? Like what?