Old and Middle English versified Pater Noster translations and paraphrases in manuscripts from 10th to 15th century

This project focuses on a comparative analysis of versified translations and paraphrases of the Pater Noster in medieval English manuscripts. The extensive corpus includes brief mnemonic formulas, elaborate paraphrases, musical compositions, lyrics, and complex diagrammatical representations embedded in scholastic settings to help conceptualize theological dogmas. These pieces, diverse in form and content, often diverge significantly from the Latin original, making them an excellent yet underexplored testament to the development of popular medieval religiosity within the framework of vernacular language and national culture.

The project covers the medieval period, from the earliest preserved versified translations to late compositions written at the end of the era preceding the Reformation. This timeline allows the selected corpus to serve as material for diachronic (historical-linguistic changes) and synchronic (dialectal variation) linguistic analysis, as well as studies of metrical patterns and versification. Additionally, it provides a rich source for exploring medieval mnemonic techniques and translation methods.

The manuscripts containing these source texts are dispersed across various European special collections. Many are miscellanea, including seemingly unrelated materials, with some vernacular Pater Noster variants unpublished or lacking critical editions. A thorough analysis of these texts, their manuscript contexts, and the broader cultural background, especially within the framework of medieval scholasticism and theology, is essential for assessing their linguistic, historical, and cultural value.

Future plans involve expanding the research to the medieval German manuscripts, synthesizing the findings, and creating a digital edition (digital repository) of preserved Pater Noster translations and paraphrases based on manuscript sources. The project aims to situate this phenomenon within the linguistic and cultural context of the era, illustrate its evolution within Western Christian culture in the German and English spheres, and explore its significance and function in the medieval world.

Project coordinator: Monika Opalińska