sisterofiris:Translating ancient hymns for modern worshippersA few weeks ago, I announced that I wou
sisterofiris:Translating ancient hymns for modern worshippersA few weeks ago, I announced that I would be translating the Orphic Hymns for Hellenic polytheists. I am pleased to say that as of today, I have started work! In this post, I will explain exactly what the project entails, and answer some of the questions I’ve been asked. You are welcome to share it with anyone who may be interested.Why create a new translation?As I wrote in the post linked above, the translation of the Orphic Hymns that’s most easily available online - and that many polytheists use - is Thomas Taylor’s from 1792. This means the language is often hard to understand, especially for non-native English speakers, and is not always close to the original text. Many wonderful translations have been published since then, including by Apostolos Athanassakis, but they are not available for free. Since the Orphic Hymns are religious texts, I would like to make a translation fully accessible to modern worshippers, both regarding money and regarding the language used.What kind of translation are you aiming for?My translation aims to be as literal and close to the original as possible. I have chosen not to write it in metric verse, so as to keep the Greek structure wherever I can without inserting or deleting words. (As an example, in the Prologue, where Thomas Taylor translates “various Genii, that o’er men preside”, the Greek literally reads “the most-godly Daimon and the Daimon harmful to mortals”.) While I obviously have my biaises in word choice, my main principle is to write in English what the Greek says - nothing more, nothing less.The translation is also geared specifically towards Hellenic polytheists, as opposed to neo-pagans or Classicists. While anyone is welcome to use it, my word choice and notes on the text are meant to be particularly useful to this audience. (As an example, I take care to clarify the religious meaning of ὅσιος instead of just translating it as “sacred”, and I give a short explanation of assimilation and how it is used in the hymns.) Though I use academic resources, this is not a work of scholarship but a work of devotion.What will the full document include?It will include the following:an introduction to the Orphic Hymns and the theology behind them, as well as a commentary on the choices I’ve made in my translationthe Greek text of each of the 87 hymnsmy translation of each hymnnotes on the individual hymns, mainly further explanation on word meanings and their connotationsa glossary with all the words in Ancient Greek and their translationsWhere, when and how will it be available?It will hopefully be available this autumn/fall, as a PDF downloadable online for free. I am still considering which website to host it on. Keep an eye on my blog (@sisterofiris) for updates.What are your qualifications?I am getting a masters degree in Ancient Greek, and I have been studying and translating Ancient Greek texts for nine years (including three at university). In addition to this, I have been a Hellenic polytheist for almost half my life, and have been a committed reconstructionist for four years.How can we support you?As I wrote in my original post (linked above), you can help in several ways:by sharing the project with those around you, so that those who may be interested are informedby beta reading the translation once it’s completed - I’m particularly interested in the help of (a) people with writing experience, and/or (b) people with an understanding of Ancient Greekby checking out my other projects, in particular my YouTube channel where I post recordings of ancient texts, including Orphic and Homeric hymnsby supporting other Hellenic polytheistic organisations like Labrys, whose work relies in part on donationsby contributing financially via PayPal, bearing in mind that I do not actively need donations at this point. I am mainly adding the link because people have asked for it, but I recommend checking out the above options first!OH MY GODS YOU ARE A HERO! Seriously, this is incredible, and something that may be hugely useful to me at some point in the future! Hope I can support you when the time comes! :D -- source link