Wollaston Research Seminar April

Join us online for the next Wollaston Research Seminar in April. Dr Brandon Massey to present: Translating Kittel’s Wörterbuch: A Bourdieusian Analysis.

Abstract: The Theologische Wörterbuch zum Neuen Testament stands as one of the most significant publications in the field of New Testament studies of the twentieth century. Its translation into English was praised by reviewers and deemed historically significant. However, behind the scenes some questioned the value of translating the Wörterbuch without significant revision due to the National Socialist affiliations of its editor, Gerhard Kittel, and many of its contributors. In the early 1960s, Markus Barth corresponded with William Eerdmans, Jr., the publisher, and Geoffrey Bromiley, the translator, and expressed his concerns that the reference work contained a negative depiction of Judaism and would be harmful to English readers. This paper examines the correspondence between Barth, Eerdmans, Jr., and Bromiley through the lens of Bourdieusian translation studies, analyzing the decision to translate the massive reference work into English, the economic and symbolic capital at stake for the invested parties, and the ways that the doxa of the field of NT studies did not allow the translator or publisher to consider valid concerns about the content of the dictionary.

Regular attendees are advised that this session will take place at a different time than usual and will be online only.

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Details

10:00am – 11:30am (Perth)
Join us online, via Zoom