Early Theories of Translation

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22353

Title

Early Theories of Translation

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Flora Ross Amos traces the evolution of translation theory in English literature, focusing on the sixteenth century's experimental spirit. The text examines how translators balanced fidelity to source texts with the needs of the target language, highlighting the tension between medieval conventions and modern standards.

Summary up to 500 words

Flora Ross Amos's monograph, *Early Theories of Translation*, investigates the evolution of translation theory among English writers from the medieval period through the eighteenth century. Amos argues that early translators often lacked individual agency, relying instead on patrons or specific commissions, and frequently worked from intermediary French versions of Latin originals rather than direct sources. This reliance on intermediaries complicated the translator's task, as they often perpetuated the blunders of their predecessors without knowing the true original texts. The text highlights the difficulty of defining 'faithfulness.' Critics and translators of the era struggled to balance word-for-word literalism with the adaptation of the original's spirit and style. While some adhered strictly to the letter, risking awkwardness, others, like Alexander Pope, so heavily modified the source to suit contemporary tastes that the translation became a new creation. Amos notes a distinct lack of continuity in critical thought; critics often ignored the contributions of their predecessors, treating theory as a series of isolated suggestions rather than a cumulative progression. Special attention is given to the sixteenth century, a period of enthusiastic experimentation where the 'New Learning' challenged medieval conceptions. During this time, translators faced new problems regarding how to render verse and prose while maintaining metrical integrity or clarity. A central debate explored who should judge translations: scholars or the general public. Figures like Newman argued that while scholars could judge erudition, the educated but unlearned public must judge taste. Amos concludes that translation is a vital component of literary history. Far from being a mere compromise that damages the vernacular, translation serves to enlarge and clarify the English language. The work emphasizes that good critics view translation as a promising experiment to enrich the mother tongue, rather than an enemy to it. Despite the absence of uniform standards or definitive rules, the most valuable contributions to theory came from those who boldly faced the difficulties of reconciling fidelity to the source with the genius of the English language.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22353.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg22353.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-06 10:53 UTC

Categories

• Translation
• Interpreting