Metaphrase is a term referring to literal translation, i.e., "word by word and line by line" [1] translation. In everyday usage, metaphrase means literalism; however, metaphrase is also the translation of poetry into prose. [2] Unlike " paraphrase," which has an ordinary use in literature theory, the term "metaphrase" is only used in translation theory. [3]
Metaphrase is one of the three ways of transferring, along with paraphrase and imitation, [4] according to John Dryden. Dryden considers paraphrase preferable to metaphrase (as literal translation) and imitation.
The term metaphrase was first used by Philo Judaeus (20 BCE) in De vita Mosis. [4] Quintilian draws a distinction between metaphrase and paraphrase in the pedagogical practice of imitation and reworking of classical texts; he points out that metaphrase changes a word, and paraphrase, a phrase: a distinction that is also followed by Renaissance scholars. [3]
Metaphrase is a term referring to literal translation, i.e., "word by word and line by line" [1] translation. In everyday usage, metaphrase means literalism; however, metaphrase is also the translation of poetry into prose. [2] Unlike " paraphrase," which has an ordinary use in literature theory, the term "metaphrase" is only used in translation theory. [3]
Metaphrase is one of the three ways of transferring, along with paraphrase and imitation, [4] according to John Dryden. Dryden considers paraphrase preferable to metaphrase (as literal translation) and imitation.
The term metaphrase was first used by Philo Judaeus (20 BCE) in De vita Mosis. [4] Quintilian draws a distinction between metaphrase and paraphrase in the pedagogical practice of imitation and reworking of classical texts; he points out that metaphrase changes a word, and paraphrase, a phrase: a distinction that is also followed by Renaissance scholars. [3]