Translating the Word
Come learn about the rich variety of Old English religious prose
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The translation of the Bible into English did not begin, as is sometimes supposed, in the late medieval period but as early as the eighth century. This paper will discuss the proliferation of biblical translations in Old English prose, ranging from interlinear glosses of made for monastic readers to the free-flowing prose of the Alfredian Prose Psalms and the tenth century translations of the Hexateuch and Gospels. Together, this remarkable corpus of Old English biblical prose brought the sacred word of scripture available to a much wider audience which included members of the laity.
Francis Leneghan is Professor of Old English at the University of Oxford and as Fellow of St Cross College. He is the author of The Dynastic Drama of Beowulf (2020) and has published widely on Old English prose and verse.
Everyone is welcome to join us for this talk! The talk will last for approximately one hour and will be followed by a simple and informal reception to allow time for further questions and discussion.