Has anyone also read Steiner in German (or any other language for that matter)?

[Andrew]

I'm curious to know what reading Steiner in the original German or in other languages is like. Is it less complicated, or is it perhaps more complicated than English? I would also like to know if there are specific translators people prefer for Steiner's works.

It seems that either English is a messy language to translate into—especially from German because English is related yet distant enough to make things weird—or it's just that Steiner's writing is obtuse in any language.

[Emma]

I have wondered this exact thing. I haven't asked a lot of people, but one person I talked to who has read it in both said that his language is just as challenging in German. Maybe more people can share their opinions...

[Philip]

I have read Rudolf Steiner and Antroposophy in Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and English.
Antroposophy is not something you read as other literature. You have to study it again and again. For example, I've read "Occult science" 8 times. And still working with it. And Rudolf Steiner say about this book that its written in a way that it make the reader go through an Initiation when you study it.
So, continue your good work.

[Aileen]

I have read Theosophy both in English and in Dutch and I felt that I got an extra layer of understanding of the material, because of word choices and interpretation of the different translators. I have tried reading the book in German, but my German isn't strong enough.

[Phillip]

I have been reading Steiner in English since I was 17, and in German since I was 24 (having learnt German & studied in Freiburg and Bochum for my degree in Philosophy).... I'm now in my 60's & still reading him. Naturally, German is best as there are many different translators and there can't be expected to be consistency in the translations by different authors! Also, Steiner's books come in 2 flavors: his core writings (7 books) and his lectures (1,000s!)- thus,
I'd say re-reading his core writings is best and studying the specific lectures where one's interest is greatest is of great value.

Moreover, in my erstwhile opinion -> Steiner should not be read in a vacuum - - one needs to read alot of other related "authors":
eg. the Bible, Plato, Kafka.

The eg. "authors" above are MY Own - other people will have other avenues....Barfield, etc.

The main thing is that one take responsibility for discovering more in life than what is apparent on the surface... and it is a never ending task.

I hope that this helps.
ps: If you're still young, learn German! - there's lots of good books in German besides Steiner....

pl.

[Rita]

First, I'm glad to see some current activity in this group. I almost didn't join it, as it looked inactive. As per the question above, it looks as if it's been answered. I frequent a Facebook group called Anthroposophy Q & A, where one can ask any questions related to Anthroposophy. There are people on the group from many countries, and many of whom English is not their first language. I think someone actually asked the above question in this group once, and the answer was similar to Emma's.