Bi-lingual reading material on SpanishDict.
Is this a wish too far?
I would like to see a new section on SpanishDict.
A bi-lingual section, where material (short stories for example) are presented in English and Spanish at the same time.
It would be good for those learning Spanish and those learning English.
Am I just asking for the impossible? 
16 Answers
I, also, think this is a fabulous idea! A step further would be to divide the readings into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advance categories!
While I have the floor 
I'd like to add that I miss the SD Listening Comprehension Audio recordings, which I thought were Fantastic for listening practice! Especially the fact that they were read by native speakers. Hope to see them up & running again! 
Thanks for the suggestion, Ian. I hope it comes to fruition!
Hi Ian, I personally think it is a great idea, I guess we should add it to our wish list - like changing the user ID's to reflect what gender we are and having the listing of our first language as a requirement for sign up. 
Here is a brief example of something I might read on a daily basis. I know this is old English, but I just thought I would share this example since it is a passage that many are familiar with. I know that we are all able to purchase bilingual books on our own. However, I can see Ian's point. Even with the best of intentions, we often don't implement many good ideas because life keeps us busy and it is easier to try something like this if the work is done for us already.
So if you are interested, try reading the passage in Spanish first and see how much you can comprehend. Then check the English version to see how close or far you were from the original. See how many new vocabulary words you learn. One thing I have found extremely helpful by doing this daily is comprehension of sentence structure in Spanish. Often, the structure is quite a bit different than I expected it to be.
I know the Bible is probably on the advanced level, and most people probably desire easier reading material. However, if anyone finds this to be helpful, I wouldn't mind sharing a passage on a regular basis. Maybe several of us could share something similar in varying reading levels, if the administrators think this would be helpful. Ian, thank you so much for this thread and for inspiring me tonight. As usual, you have provided another excellent idea. 
Jehová es mi pastor; nada me faltará.
En lugares de delicados pastos me hará descansar;
Junto a aguas de reposo me pastoreará.
Confortará mi alma; Me guiará por sendas de justicia por amor de su nombre.
Aunque ande en valle de sombra de muerte, No temeré mal alguno, porque tú estarás conmigo; Tu vara y tu cayado me infundirán aliento.
Aderezas mesa delante de mí en presencia de mis angustiadores; Unges mi cabeza con aceite; mi copa está rebosando.
Ciertamente el bien y la misericordia me seguirán todos los días de mi vida, y en la casa de Jehová moraré por largos días. **
Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
There could be two moderators for those texts - one English and one Spanish native speakers. Great idea.
I like this idea. Perhaps users could contribute material and maybe a few of the more proficient members could help out with proofreading and we could have a very useful addition to this site. I actually was considering buying a bi-lingual book to help with learning but that would be awesome to have something similar here.
I think this is an excellent idea Ian. Of course, I am not the one who would be doing all of the work in order to implement it.
I have been reading the Bible in English/Spanish side by side daily. I also purchased the Spanish version of a book that I have enjoyed reading in English. I try to read several pages of this book in both languages daily as well. I can not begin to express how helpful this routine has been for me. Reading and comparing books in both languages simultaneously has really helped me to improve my reading comprehension and my vocabulary in general.
I don't want to be a nuisnace but I still think this idea is a good one and one that would benefit most of us - Spanish and English speakers.
Great ideas.One must always consider the amount of work involved and the number (read spread thin) of volunteers available.I have several books with side by side Spanish English but I am sure they are copyrighted.
Lets hope the powers that be spanishdict listen to these ideas.
Bueno.
I think it a fabulous idea Ian , it would be a fantastic tool especially as you say having it side by side it would make for quick and easy understanding in how the sentence structure differs. Good on you and go for it.
As I think this is a very good idea I am making this comment.
If you think it worth the effort involved please add your comments here.
The more we are the more chance there is that it will be taken up.
I support the phrasebook but think this idea would be an even more valuable learning tool.
There could be two moderators for those texts - one English and one Spanish native speakers.
Great, any suggestions for who would do that?
Ian, be realistic, we would need a new section, new mods, not so many native speakers around anyway, and the ones I know moderate some threads already.
In any case, maybe Nicole can post a weekly thread with the two texts, I don't know though, I think this can easily be found on the web...a new section on the forum, impossible, there are more important changes I am fighting for.
I like the idea of the dual language short stories for rapid comparison of the languages. Please add my vote of support to your effort Ian-hill
I would be willing to post a thread using passages like those above, if members find it helpful. The Bible at least, is public domain so there are no copyright problems.
This is a great idea and this could be posted on the general discussions category. Thanks for the offer, Nicole
Ian, I am always trying to get improvements for the forum, for example to get the more tab changed and those tabs more visible.
OK one last post by me on this topic. I hate being a "pest".
There are Websites offering parallel reading but they are not that good.
Nicole offered to post things - anyone have any more ideas?
