Translating The Canterbury Tales: the Possibilities and Problems of Poetry-to-Prose Translation

Abstract

This MA thesis will examine Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and its existing Dutch translations, as well as the possibilities of a poetry-to-prose translation of this work. After a short introduction to the author and his work, an in-depth analysis of the two existing translations will determine the translation problems specific to the Canterbury Tales. Poetry to-prose translation problems will be discussed using two similar works that have already been translated into Dutch prose, and translation theory that deals with translation of poetry into prose will be examined. Lastly, part of the General Prologue of the Canterbury Tales will be translated into Dutch prose as a case study, and its specific translation problems and solutions will be discussed.