Introduction
Every individual belongs to a particular native language of a specific community that is different from a language of wider communication (national or standard language) that is usually a second language to the community. Both the vernacular and standard language contribute significantly to the understanding of literature studies hence the need to explore several excerpts of works done by early authors in both languages. There are several readings (original and translated) in which medieval texts represent their origins, strategies and purposes in the society in which in most cases is to guide readers in medieval English literature while also serving as one mapping among others of the knowledge offered by studies of vernacular language (Ascoli, 168-170). This paper compares the theory of vernacular in “Dante De Vulgari Eloquentia” to “Eddas-Seeress and the translation of the Quran by Ahmed Ali” and “Sheba and the Wall between Heaven and Hell.” The discussion reveals how the vernacular and official language related during that period and how the authors expressed excellence and sophistication of these emerging vernacular languages in their literature.
Discussion
Dante’s perspective on language (Italian to be precise) is expressed in his literary work titled “De Vulgari Eloquentia.” To interpret his work, we recognize his distinction of spoken and written vernacular in “La Vita Nuova” and justification of using vernacular language (Italian) instead of Latin in his commentary in book 1 of the “Convito” (Ascoli, 170). Dante’s theory is that the human speech mutates as well as the nature of linguistic change. He differentiates the unstable and corruptible nature of the vernacular language with the incorruptible nature of Latin. He states that a vernacular language undergoes several changes even in a short period of 50 years. Comparing the several readings it is clear that challenges emerge from the development of literary theory and in particular theories of textuality. For example, the interpretation of the last stanza in Edda-Seeress translations is debated following the restraining of some editors to the last line implying that translation would contrast the original version (Hollander, 13). The vernacular and the official language are related in such a manner that the vernacular uses the official language as a point of reference.
Challenges exist but the three excerpts illustrate outstanding strategies that the authors use to establish cultural authority, models they offered for the purpose of reading and the manner they constructed readerships and audiences. The three excerpts illustrate how vernacular texts reflected and contributed to the formation of national identity, gender, class and profession (Botterill, 1-2). The use of vernacular language for religious instruction such as the translation of the Quran contributed to the cultural and political role of the polite writing associated with Dante. The authors demonstrate sophistication and excellence of these emerging vernacular languages by correctly translating what is being expressed in the official language. The readings clearly revise assumptions regarding the worth and importance of literature. It is evident that contemporary literature theory often tends to restatement of notions that are presently clichés of medieval scholarship.
Conclusion
Exploring vernacular literature and their translations offers great satisfaction especially in the aspect of inclusions by us. Readers are persuaded to get on with further exploration of texts and to mappings and boundary crossing of their own. Dante’s work is used as reference as it’s the only known work of medieval literary theory to have been created by a practicing poet and the first to advocate for the intrinsic superiority of vernacular languages over standard language (Latin).
Work cited
Ascoli, Albert R. Dante and the Making of a Modern Author. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Print.
Botterill, Steven. Dante De Vulgari Eloquentia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. Print.
Hollander, Lee. The Poetic Edda: Translated with and introduction and explanatory notes. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1962. Print.
