The Southern Appeal

Ondertitel:Dutch translations of French Romances (c. 1484 - c. 1540) in a Western European perspective

French literature was by far the most important source of inspiration for the translation, adaptation and creation of medieval romances in other Western European languages. Although this is already well-established for the manuscript period, the importance of French subject matter after the advent of printing merits further research. This article deals with the early printed transmission of Dutch romances translated from the French until c. 1540. It sheds light on some chronological developments in the reception of these romances in the Low Countries by focusing on the publishers’ lists of a number of printers as well as on the texts’ longevity. Additionally, this article adopts a synchronic view: in order to understand the international appeal of some works, other Western European translations of these titles are also taken into consideration. It turns out that Dutch and English publishers show an interest in similar French subject matter. However, the Dutch editions reveal a higher degree of interference with the text: they tend to make use of multiple sources, remove the names of historical agents involved in the creation of the romances, or include dramatic and lyrical verses, suggesting the influence of rhetoricians and thereby indicating a more urban public.

ISBN:978-3-11-056301-6

Jaar van publicatie:2019

Trefwoorden:H1 Book chapter

BOF-keylabel:ja

Toegankelijkheid:Open