What do you think about reading Greek with translation?
I have already read Plato’s Apology and I have used translation many times while reading. This method has helped me understand the Greek structures.
I am currently reading Republic 1 with Geoffrey Steadman and I am using translation because I get stuck in certain parts.
What do you think? Is it good or bad to read Plato with translation?
Of course you can consult a translation if you have to, but only when you’re well and truly stuck, or when you want to check that your initial understanding of the Greek is correct. Steadman is so very generous with his notes that you shouldn’t find much need for translation. Always do your best to make sense of the Greek (and to understand the grammar!) before resorting to a translation. And you can always ask here for elucidation of tricky points—of which there are many!
φιλοπόνει ὦ τᾶν
Thanks for the help.
Have you tried feeding the language you can’t translate into an AI app such as perplexity and asking for the syntax of each word that you submit? The app is sometimes wrong, but translations, especially non-literal ones, can be confusing and misleading (as can commentaries). I’ve found the app to be very educational so long as I approach it with the requisite skepticism. Not for absolute beginners but if you have a good command of the grammar in general you’re in a position to question the app’s replies. Often it will revise/change its answer, and the back-and-forth can itself be useful.
I’ve just tried what you suggested, and it seems to be very good.
I don’t support AI and I want to use it in moderation, but in this use case it is absolutely useful.
Maybe I should deal with it.