/lit/ - Literature

american

USA USA USA

German. I mean, you know google can answer these questions, right?

If you honestly think The Count of Monte Cristo is considered by anyone the greatest work of French literature then lol

I doubt there's anyone on /lit/ who knows enough languages to give a valid opinion.

Russian or English

It's completely subjective.

>>1029025
Mostly this, but it depends on how you determine what makes a language the best. Does it have the best works done in that language? Is it the best, clearest, most beautiful medium for writing? Does a large culture of literature appreciation exist in the countries that speak said language?

All I can say is, everything I've read in English, including translations, has been great.

This is an English-language message board...

so English.

Besides that, I find myself liking French or Russian translations...

But I'm an English major and love this fucking language.

Greek...

WOW. no brainer.... THINK

>>1029042

ermmm????

Latin.

Russian is pretty rich with great literature.

Russia and France has a domination with literature, in my opinion. Then again your answers will probably depend on the individual's tastes.

>>1029084

every greek tragedy...

for all intensive purposes: the new testament and all texts during that time period.

massive amounts of philosophy...

drama, comedy, tragedy, epics... it's all there

German. It has Goethe, Schiller, Thomas Mann, Rilke, Eichendorff, Heine.

Wat would you want more?

>>1029115
>for all intensive purposes
Hilarious

>>1029108

If you would like to read stuffy, elitist bullshit, sure, French and Russian.

Greek.

sanskrit ftw

>>1029115
>for all intensive purposes

>>1029453

FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES

This is the most subjective discussion to have here. And unless someone understands all the major languages you wont get a good answer. For to really appreciate historical 'classics' one needs to read it in its original language. There is no going around this.
English, for example, speek very highly of Shakespeare, and if you put him next to translated Greek tragedies, his work just looks more poetic and polished. But If you just listen them in Greek you quickly understand how majestic and grand they are in its home language.

English is highly overrated. One of its best novels is written by a fucking Russian.

>>1029115
>for all intensive purposes

This is a stupid question. No one person can ever answer it. There are milions of great books written in all laguages. What defines a classic is a hazy debate, and noone knows all the languages and all the literature anyway.

If I understand you right, and you plan to start learning a language for the purpose of reading classics, you should pick a language pertaining to your own classic needs, not ask random people on the internet to tell you what is best, after all learning a language is a big deal.

> There are milions of great books written in all laguages.

Your standards are so low, you would fuck Phil Jupitus.

Also, either Greek or English. Probably Greek.

Mmmmh, let's see.
The French invented roman, science fiction.
They have some great pieces of work in poetry, theatre, epic tales, fables, philosophy/politics...

They also invented photography and cinema. It's like the rest of the world isn't even trying.

>>1029491
> Implying your standard is the correct standard, and
> everyone else should just take your word for it.