Versio latina

Agents, Functions, and Aims of the Translation of Early Modern Literature into Latin

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This project investigates translations of vernacular literature into Latin that were successful in the Early Modern print market. It complements previous research on Early Modern literature by focusing on Latin as the target language rather than the source, with the emphasis on Neo-Latin translation. The project aims to (1) discover the cultural functions and economical objectives of the versio Latina and (2) describe and theoretically reflect on multiple references as a special characteristic of translation into Latin in the Early Modern age. Through (1) and (2) it seeks to raise awareness of (3) the ‘forgotten Latinity’ of vernacular literature which was crucially important for the internationalization of early modern literature as well as for the book trade. The project will investigate a relevant international text corpus and its translation contexts from the perspective of Skopos theory. The findings should reveal the versio latina to be a complementary phenomenon to the translation from Latin and an intermediary phenomenon of global cultural exchange.

The project is based at the University of Tübingen and is led by Professor Anja Wolkenhauer, with Julia Heideklang and Jan Shavrin as team members.

• Project website at the University of Tübingen.

Publications (project-related):

• Prof Dr Anja Wolkenhauer