Medieval translation as 'certamen': The Germanic versions of ''Yvain, le Chevalier au Lion''
Sunnen, Donald Robert
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/19220
Description
Title
Medieval translation as 'certamen': The Germanic versions of ''Yvain, le Chevalier au Lion''
Author(s)
Sunnen, Donald Robert
Issue Date
1990
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Marchand, James W.
Department of Study
Germanic Languages and Literatures
Discipline
Germanic Languages and Literatures
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Literature, Comparative
Literature, Medieval
Literature, Germanic
Language
eng
Abstract
The phenomenon of medieval translation has been discussed many times, resulting in the conflicting premises that either medieval translation was not as faithful to the original as its modern counterpart, or that medieval translators were excessively literal. These points of view are informed by the modern tradition and tend to ignore two very important points: (1) medieval translation is rooted in a strong educational tradition, and (2) considerable disagreement exists today over exactly what constitutes a translation.
This dissertation analyzes the phenomenon of medieval translation from the point of view of Western classical traditions, in particular those affecting education. It becomes clear that medieval academic disciplines were based solidly on the classical authorities of Greece and Rome. The development of these disciplines, most importantly grammar and rhetoric, are of great significance in this study, because they taught students how to treat received texts.
In order to illustrate the practice of medieval translation, the following Germanic versions of Yvain, le Chevalier au Lion will be compared to the Old French original of Chretian de Troyes: (1) Iwein (Middle High German, Hartmann von Aue c.1200); (2) Ivens saga (Old Norse, Anonymous c.1250); (3) Ywain and Gawain (Middle English, Anonymous c.1350); (4) Herr Ivan Lejonriddaren (Old Swedish, Anonymous 1302). In the course of the analysis the focus is not on individual words or lines, but on the episodes which constituted the basic units of the work. This wider perspective illustrates the rhetorical devices used by the author, in particular amplification and abbreviation. Conclusions will be drawn concerning the author/translator's view of his original, his relationship to the audience for whom the work is intended, and lastly, his perception of his own role as transmitter.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
