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The King's English: Strategies of Translation in the Old English Boethius
Contributor(s): Discenza, Nicole Guenther (Author)
ISBN: 0791464474     ISBN-13: 9780791464472
Publisher: State University of New York Press
OUR PRICE:   $90.25  
Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats
Published: May 2005
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Temporarily out of stock - Will ship within 2 to 5 weeks
Annotation: In the late ninth century, while England was fighting off Viking incursions, Alfred the Great devoted time and resources not only to military campaigns but also to a campaign of translation and education unprecedented in early medieval Europe. "The King's English explores how Alfred's translation Boethius's "Consolation of Philosophy from Latin into Old English exposed Anglo-Saxon elites to classical literature, history, science, and Christian thought. More radically, the Boethius, as it became known, told its audiences how a leader should think and what he should be, providing models for leadership and wisdom that live on in England to this day. It also brought prestige to its kingly translator and enshrined his dialect. West Saxon, as the literary language of the English people. Nicole Guenther Discenza looks at the sources Alfred used in his translation and demonstrates his selectivity in choosing what to retain, what to borrow, and how to represent it to his Anglo-Saxon audience. Alfred's appeals to Latin prestige, spiritual authority. Old English poetry, and everyday experience in England combine to make the Old English Boethius a powerful text and a rich source for our understanding of Anglo-Saxon literature, culture, and society.
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Language Arts & Disciplines | Translating & Interpreting
Dewey: 100
LCCN: 2004054173
Series: Suny Medieval Studies
Physical Information: 0.77" H x 6.12" W x 9.34" (0.97 lbs) 232 pages
Themes:
- Chronological Period - Medieval (500-1453)
- Cultural Region - British Isles
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:
In the late ninth century, while England was fighting off Viking incursions, Alfred the Great devoted time and resources not only to military campaigns but also to a campaign of translation and education unprecedented in early medieval Europe. The King's English explores how Alfred's translation of Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy from Latin into Old English exposed Anglo-Saxon elites to classical literature, history, science, and Christian thought. More radically, the Boethius, as it became known, told its audiences how a leader should think and what he should be, providing models for leadership and wisdom that live on in England to this day. It also brought prestige to its kingly translator and enshrined his dialect, West Saxon, as the literary language of the English people.

Nicole Guenther Discenza looks at the sources Alfred used in his translation and demonstrates his selectivity in choosing what to retain, what to borrow, and how to represent it to his Anglo-Saxon audience. Alfred's appeals to Latin prestige, spiritual authority, Old English poetry, and everyday experience in England combine to make the Old English Boethius a powerful text and a rich source for our understanding of Anglo-Saxon literature, culture, and society.