History of Western Translation Theory
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Questions and Answers

What is the name of the debate that western translation theory was locked in until the second half of the twentieth century?

  • Free imitation controversy
  • Literalism debate
  • Sterile debate (correct)
  • Triadic model of translation
  • Who introduced the distinction between 'word-for-word' and 'sense-for-sense' translation?

  • McElduff
  • Marcus Tullius Cicero (correct)
  • George Steiner
  • St Jerome
  • What was the low social status of in ancient Rome?

  • Orator
  • Interpreter (correct)
  • Rhetorician
  • Translator
  • What did Cicero aim to preserve in his translation?

    <p>The general style and force of the language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Cicero's occupation apart from being a translator?

    <p>Politician</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who wrote about the 'triadic model' of translation?

    <p>George Steiner</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what year did Cicero write De optimo genere oratorum?

    <p>46 BCE</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the focus of Cicero's translation approach?

    <p>Keeping the same ideas and forms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who underlined the goal of producing an aesthetically pleasing and creative poetic text in the target language?

    <p>Horace</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was commissioned by Pope Damasus in 382?

    <p>A Latin revision and translation of the Christian Bible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did St Jerome decide to return to for the Old Testament?

    <p>The original Hebrew</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the Greek Septuagint?

    <p>A Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the title of St Jerome's letter to his friend, the senator Pammachius, in 395?

    <p>De optimo genere interpretandi</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the purpose of St Jerome's letter to Pammachius?

    <p>To defend himself against accusations of 'incorrect' translation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the result of St Jerome's comparison of the Greek Septuagint with the Hebrew original?

    <p>He noted points where the two versions differed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who did St Jerome cite as an authority to justify his own Latin revision and translation of the Christian Bible?

    <p>Cicero</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Translation Theory and History

    • The 'triadic model' of translation, consisting of 'literalism', 'paraphrase', and 'free imitation', dominated Western translation theory until the mid-20th century.

    Cicero's Approach to Translation

    • Cicero outlined his approach to translation in De optimo genere oratorum (46 BCE), emphasizing the importance of preserving the general style and force of the language.
    • Cicero did not translate word for word, instead focusing on conveying the same ideas and forms, or 'figures' of thought, in language that conformed to Roman usage.

    Ancient Roman Attitudes towards Translation

    • The term 'interpreter' in ancient Rome referred to a low-status mediator, often disparaged for lacking education and producing inelegant, word-for-word translations.
    • The poet Horace, in his Ars Poetica (c. 20 BCE), emphasized the goal of producing aesthetically pleasing and creative poetic texts in the target language.

    St Jerome's Translation of the Bible

    • St Jerome, commissioned by Pope Damasus in 382 CE, revised and translated the Christian Bible into Latin, producing the Latin Vulgate.
    • Jerome returned to the original Hebrew texts for the Old Testament, a decision that was controversial among those who preferred the Greek Septuagint translation.
    • Jerome's overall translation strategy is outlined in De optimo genere interpretandi, where he defends his approach against criticism and emphasizes the importance of understanding the source text.

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    Description

    This quiz covers the historical development of Western translation theory, including the debate between literalism, paraphrase, and free imitation. It explores the contributions of classical authors such as Cicero and St Jerome.

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