German composition : A theoretical and practical guide to the art of translating English prose into German

This manual offers a clear, step‑by‑step introduction to translating English prose into idiomatic German, aimed at students who have already mastered basic grammar and can read German comfortably. It is organized so that it can be used alongside a standard German textbook after the fifty‑lesson mark, yet it also stands alone for anyone preparing for university or civil‑service examinations. The author blends theory with practice, explaining why translation is more than swapping words and emphasizing the need to grasp the deeper sense of each passage.

The book presents a wide range of excerpts drawn from celebrated modern English and American writers, each complete enough to illustrate style, tone, and subject matter without overwhelming the learner. Interspersed biographical sketches in German add cultural flavor while the notes provide English equivalents, helpful periphrases, and occasional direct German renderings when dictionaries fall short. By balancing concise rules with worked‑out examples, the guide trains the reader’s analytical ear and prepares them for the nuanced decisions required in quality translation.