From Jerome to Schleiermacher? Translation Methods and the Irrationality of Languages

Abstract

In the context of Schleiermacher’s definition of two methods of translating, reference is frequently made to similar definitions by other authors, in particular to Goethe’s speech Zu brüderlichem Andenken Wielands, but also to Cicero’s De optimo genere oratorum, to Horace’s Ars poetica and to Hieronymus’ Ad Pammachium. It is, however, striking that German translation theory of the century before Schleiermacher apparently didn’t require such binary or ternary patterns of definition. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that while Schleiermacher’s definition does refer to the antithetic structure of the ancient paradigms of Horace, Cicero and Hieronymus, it is completely independent in its formulation. Against this background, the paper firstly investigates the historical development leading to Schleiermacher’s theory. As a second step, the theoretical implications following out of this historical situation are discussed.