Principles of Translation

Principles Of Translation by Charles Batteux is a comprehensive treatise on translation theory that emphasizes the importance of faithfully conveying the original meaning of ancient writings. Batteux argues that a translator should preserve the author's thoughts, their order, and distinctive tones and expressions, rather than merely translating words. He explores how the mind generates expressions from thoughts and highlights the differences in natural “order” between languages, particularly Latin and French. The work presents a method for translators to examine the structure of both languages, identify key elements (subject, verb, object, manner, and emphasis), and translate in a way that maintains coherence, energy, and clarity. Additionally, it outlines specific rules for translating Latin authors into French or English, addressing aspects such as adverbs, prepositions, adjective placement, and the balance between active and passive voice. Batteux supports his arguments with examples from notable authors like Cicero, Virgil, Livy, Sallust, and Suetonius, and provides insights on translating poetry, history, and oratory while cautioning against Gallicisms and Latinisms. Originally published in 1760 in Edinburgh, this edition reprints Batteux's influential work.