The Gawain Project

February 8, 2009 8:47 AM

The Gawain Project
An ongoing translation of the late 14th century anonymous poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight into Modern English, for the amusement of Arthurians and anyone who likes a good story.

Normally I don't see much point in translating Middle English, since I think people should just read it, but the Northern English dialect of Gawain is pretty impenetrable to a casual reader. I'm doing my best to keep the alliteration, rhythm and verse structure intact, though my first priority is fidelity to the original.

I'm working from this online text, and also using the 1976 Everyman edition for reference.

I started this just after New Year's, and hope to have it done by 1 January 2010.

posted by Pallas Athena (3 comments total)

This project was posted to MetaFilter by Effigy2000 on February 13, 2009: The Gawain Project

I'm not really an Arthurian, but I do like a good story. I also am fascinated by Middle English and the development of the English language generally (as this AskMe of mine shows), so this Project instantly grabbed and held my attention. It is nothing short of awesome and I really enjoyed it. So much so I just went and posted it to MeFi where it will hopefully get the attention it deserves!

As I said, I've enjoyed reading your project, Pallas Athenia, so thanks for all the hard work you've gone and put in!
posted by Effigy2000 at 8:22 PM on February 13, 2009

Favorited, Emailed, Delicioused, Tagged, Flagged (as Fantastic), Commented, and Thank You'd. :)
posted by iamkimiam at 9:48 PM on February 13, 2009

Thank you both! This is the best valentine I've ever gotten.
posted by Pallas Athena at 10:26 AM on February 16, 2009