Malogranatum - Granatapfel. German and Dutch translations

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Manfred Gerwing
• Subject Area: Roman Catholic Theology ; German Medieval Studies (Medieval German Literature)
• Term: from 2012 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 219859199

The latin text Malogranatum is a dialogue between a spiritual father and his son, dealing with the content of the Gospel. It originates from the Cistercian monastery Königsaal near Prague, mid-14th century. The Prague Manuscript (1385) containing this text consists of 332 folio leaves (approx. 350.000 words). The separation of the treatise into three distinct books has its background in the teaching of the three statuses (De triplici statu), prevalent in the mystic tradition of this time period. This teaching differentiates Christian followers who strive for perfection into three categories: the beginner (incipientum), the advanced (proficientum) and the perfect (perfectorum). The text was received not only inside the monastic area of origin, but also by reformatory groups of the urban laity movement, especially after 1350. During the spread of this movement of spiritual renewal several translations into dutch and german arose, with altogether eight manuscripts with a different set of texts respectively. During the first period of funding these vernacular texts were compiled, commented and printed. Thus, a specific contribution will be made regarding the possibilities and limitations of translations within a specific theological context of traditions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Rudolf Kilian Weigand