----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 10:23
AM
Subject: [norse_course] Bodvar Bjarki
translation
Hello!
Following on from my suggestion of using my uni
notes to work on a translation of Bodvar Bjarki, Thomas and Laurel both
expressed an interest. So, for you and anyone else out there who wants
to join us, here goes...
I have typed up the first few lines in a Word
document (attached) because I can't make my keyboard type the letter hooked o
or o with a diagonal line through it when I'm doing an email, but I can in
Word. You can post your translations in an email and I will respond
likewise so that everyone can see what we're doing and jump in to help if we
go wrong.
The passage in Gordon's reader begins mid way
through chapter 23 with Bodvar arriving at King Hrolf's court where he has
come to enter the king's service. Previously, he has been visiting his
brothers and on his way to king Hrolf's he lodged with a peasant couple who
told him that their son, Hott, was at the court and being badly treated by the
courtiers and they ask Bodvar to be kind to him.
Have fun!
Sarah.
ps. let me know if you want a glossary of
words.
Hello Sarah (and Thomas and Laurel)
I'm Jed Mc Harg, and I'd be delighted to join you
if I may. I've been ploughing the Gordon and I've been more concerned about
getting the meaning than producing a good translation, so this may be an
opportunity to acquire basic translation skills. Would it be acceptable to
translate the first fifteen lines? I'll give it a go. However, I'm quite
happy to translate as little or as much as you or the group wish.
Here goes:
Afterwards, Bothvar went on his journey to
Hleithagarth. He came to the king's residence. Bothvar led his horse to
a stall beside the king's best horse and nobody questioned him. Then he went
into the hall and few men were there. He sat near the door and when he had
been there a little while, he heard a rummaging away in a corner of a certain
place. Bothvar looked there and saw a man's hand come up out of a great heap
of bones which lay there. The hand was very black. Bothvar went
over to it and asked who was there in the pile of bones. Then he was answered
rather timidly: 'I am called Hottr, good sir'. 'Why are you here', said
Bothvar 'and what are you doing?' Hottr said, 'I am making a
defence for myself, good sir' Bothvar said,
'You are wretched, you and your defence!' Bothvar
took hold of him and yanked him up out of the pile of bones. Hottr yelled out
loud and cried, ' You'll be the death of me, now!'
'Skjaldborg' - 'shield-wall, protection' doesn't
translate well literally. What about 'stronghold'? Could we get away with
'hidey-hole' or 'refuge' ?
A
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