Metaphrase
Encyclopedia
Metaphrase is a translation
term referring to literal translation
, i.e., "word by word and line by line" translation. In everyday usage, metaphrase means literalism
; however, metaphrase is also the translation of poetry into prose. Unlike "paraphrase
," which has an ordinary use in literature theory, the term "metaphrase" is only used in translation theory.
Metaphrase is one of the three ways of transferring, along with paraphrase
and imitation, according to John Dryden
. Dryden considers paraphrase preferable to metaphrase (as literal translation
) and imitation.
The term "metaphrase" is first used by Philo Judaeus (20 BCE) in De vita Mosis. Quintilian
draws a distinction between metaphrase and paraphrase in the pedagogical
practice of imitation and reworking classical texts; he points out that metaphrase changes a word, and paraphrase, a phrase: a distinction that is also followed by Renaissance scholars.
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
term referring to literal translation
Literal translation
Literal translation, or direct translation, is the rendering of text from one language to another "word-for-word" rather than conveying the sense of the original...
, i.e., "word by word and line by line" translation. In everyday usage, metaphrase means literalism
Literalism
*Scriptural literalism in religious fundamentalism*Qur'anic literalism*in translation, the principle of aiming at a literal translation*Literalism , a late-20th century method of composing music using physical representations of elements of musical composition to create everything from classical...
; however, metaphrase is also the translation of poetry into prose. Unlike "paraphrase
Paraphrase
Paraphrase is restatement of a text or passages, using other words. The term "paraphrase" derives via the Latin "paraphrasis" from the Greek , meaning "additional manner of expression". The act of paraphrasing is also called "paraphrasis."...
," which has an ordinary use in literature theory, the term "metaphrase" is only used in translation theory.
Metaphrase is one of the three ways of transferring, along with paraphrase
Paraphrase
Paraphrase is restatement of a text or passages, using other words. The term "paraphrase" derives via the Latin "paraphrasis" from the Greek , meaning "additional manner of expression". The act of paraphrasing is also called "paraphrasis."...
and imitation, according to John Dryden
John Dryden
John Dryden was an influential English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who dominated the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden.Walter Scott called him "Glorious John." He was made Poet...
. Dryden considers paraphrase preferable to metaphrase (as literal translation
Literal translation
Literal translation, or direct translation, is the rendering of text from one language to another "word-for-word" rather than conveying the sense of the original...
) and imitation.
The term "metaphrase" is first used by Philo Judaeus (20 BCE) in De vita Mosis. Quintilian
Quintilian
Marcus Fabius Quintilianus was a Roman rhetorician from Hispania, widely referred to in medieval schools of rhetoric and in Renaissance writing...
draws a distinction between metaphrase and paraphrase in the pedagogical
Pedagogy
Pedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....
practice of imitation and reworking classical texts; he points out that metaphrase changes a word, and paraphrase, a phrase: a distinction that is also followed by Renaissance scholars.