Preface
The present edition of German for Reading Knowledge has made a major shift in format from previous editions, which were aimed primarily at learners in the natural sciences. The new fourth edition is designed to introduce students in the humanities, arts, and social sciences to a basic knowledge of German that they can use independently to begin to read specialized literature in their respective fields. In addition to this switch in perspectives, the fourth edition strives to make the reading process a learner-centered one: grammar explanations have been rethought to focus on the non-speaker's perception of written German and negotiation of meaning. Special attention is paid to pitfalls that often trouble beginners translating and reading German.