¿Por qué Borges no se vende en Alemania? Harry lo explica en español.
Harry (o “Jarrito”) es nuestro primer estudiante de español que al volver a su país continuó sus clases de español por Skype. En clase con Vane por Skype él escribió un relato muy interesante que explica por qué los libros de Borges fracasan en Alemania.
La tragedia de Jorge Luis Borges en Alemania
Jorge Luís Borges (nació el 24 de Agosto 1899 en Buenos Aires, murió el 14 de Junio 1986 en Ginebra) fue uno de los mas importantes escritores de Argentina. Lamentablemente, el éxito de su obra en Alemania falta a causa de que su apellido en alemán es un verbo en imperativo. “Borges” significa en alemán, como en porteño “¡mángaselo!”. Por si acaso un comprador potencial lee “Borges”y se dice a sí mismo: “Claro, ¿por qué debo gastar mi dinero? – ¡mángaselo!”
Muchos economistas muy importantes escrutaron ese problema. Sus recomendación fue: Borges debería cambiar su apellido a “Kaufes”, que le supone en español “¡cómpraselo!“
Un representante del consorcio económico aun propuso: “Kaufdochgleichzweiundverschenkeins”, que le supone en español “¡cómprapuesdosyregalauno!“
Pero Borges era orgulloso (como un argentino) y rechazó la recomendación. Su obra hoy mismo se vende mal en Alemania…
I had some spare time to spend and got an invitation from an old friend to Buenos Aires. Since my friend had to go to work and my Spanish comprised of maybe a dozen words, I decided to go to school and start learning it. By pure coincidence (my friend asked one of her colleagues) I’ve got a hot tip and so I found myself at VOS in Marcelo T. de Alvear 1459. Funny though, it was the very day, when the first-graders in Argentina started their term. And so flocks of little kids were swarming in the streets, each wearing a little white frock. My friend suggested buying one for me too, but they didn’t come in XXXL…
Speaking of VOS: I’ve never found a more warm-hearted, joyful and at the same time professional team before – leastways not in a language school. From the very first moment I’ve felt like a part of the society. It’s their spirit and attitude that make you feel at home right away. It’s the mate (tea), a teacher shares with you in the recreation room, chatting with you about your country, culture or life and his. Always cheerful and never pushing, you take your steps in a foreign language. And it’s the social program they offer you. Not some dull tourist mumbo-jumbo, but you get invited to birthday parties, you go together out for a drink and some chit-chat, and you go to a cinema, a cultural event or the legendary tango class. And you are always a part of it, never the stranger on the outside.
After I returned home and heard about the opportunity with e-spañol through Skype, I didn’t have to think twice. Sure I wanted to go on with these wonderful people! After five lessons I can say that it was a good choice. It’s definitely a good chance, to improve your grammar or expression, while talking to a mother tongue. Of course you can do that, perhaps in a Spanish bar around your corner, but there you won’t get the feedback, the explanation, that improves your skills. And you can do this at home and, depending on your time zone, at a time that suits you best (early birds or night owls…). Together with my friends at VOS, I designed my own Spanish course and I surely will go on.
Harry “él jarrrito”
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