Original vs. Translation
I'd like to discuss reading original English texts versus translations. It started when I wanted to read the Foundation series, and I found both the original English version and the translation. I found that the two offer different experiences.
Initially, I thought my English level was sufficient for basic reading, and I wanted to improve my English reading skills by reading the original English version. However, while reading the original, I encountered many unfamiliar words; it was no longer the safe haven of reading that I used to know. In my current life, I've placed reading in a resting place outside of job hunting/study, and for this reason, I switched back to reading in Chinese.
The Allure of the Original Expression
However, during the reading process, I found that if I were capable of reading the original English version, I would still prefer it. One reason is that I've been consistently reading Chinese for a long time, but over time, even with different book types and different language styles, it brings a certain degree of "fatigue." That is, when I see Chinese expressions, I want to know what the original English expressions are, rather than just being satisfied with following the plot.
Therefore, I switched to bilingual reading, first reading the original English version, and then looking for the Chinese version when I couldn't understand it. Alternatively, I might read the Chinese version first to understand the plot, and then read the original English text to experience its expression.
Expanding Horizons and Managing Uncertainty
In summary, my current reading habits (because my past single-minded reading pattern, such as reading a specific book every day until it's finished before moving on to the next, is no longer sufficient to manage my anxiety and uncertainty during my job search) involve reading different books every day to experience different language styles and worlds. I now urgently want to "expand" my knowledge and worldview.
While I believe I will still be drawn to the single, in-depth reading style of the past, and I do need immersive experiences to recover when I'm tired, I've also discovered the weakness of my overly singular and unstable mental world (for example, for a period of time, I only read romance novels, which led to idealized values and a lack of understanding of reality).
Therefore, my current reading needs to be broad, not only in terms of content but also in terms of language. In reading, the plot is certainly important, but the art of expression is equally captivating. Furthermore, I want to improve my expressive abilities.