Rhetoric, Hermeneutics, and Translation in the Middle Ages

Translation played a crucial role in the emergence of vernacular literary culture in the Middle Ages. This is the first book to consider the rise of translation as part of a broader history of critical discourses from classical Rome to the late Middle Ages, and as such adds significantly to our understanding of the development of European culture.

• The study of rhetoric and translation is currently in vogue amongst medievalists, and many graduate courses demand it • Focuses both on theoretical texts from Cicero and Augustine to Dante and on literary works by writers including Boethius and Chaucer • Will be of interest both to medievalists and to theorists of rhetoric and translation more widely

Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Roman theories of translation: the fusion of grammar and rhetoric; 2. From antiquity to the Middle Ages I: the place of translation and the value of hermeneutics; 3. The rhetorical character of academic commentary; 4. Translation and interlingual commentary: Notker of St Gall and the Ovide moralisé; 5. Translation and intralingual reception: French and English traditions of Boethius’ Consolatio; 6. From antiquity to the Middle Ages II: rhetorical invention as hermeneutical performance; 7. Translation as rhetorical invention: Chaucer and Gower; Afterword; Notes; Bibliography; Index of names and titles; General index.

‘This very intelligent and densely argued book … will be of value to any mediaevalist concerned with textuality and interpretation, and to any non-mediaevalist with an interest in rhetoric, hermeneutics or translation.’ Medium Aevum

‘… a definitive and comprehensive study of translation theory and practice in the Middle Ages.’ Literature and Theology

‘… an important work likely to inspire and to frame many discussions of translation in the future … a work of considerable learning, fine discrimination, and critical ambition.’ The Times Higher Education Supplement