12-27-2008, 12:26 PM
This is a complete German translation and priced to pick it up while grocery shopping 
hock: And you thought high School German would never do you any good 
http://www.amazon.de/Die-Enzyklop ädie-Isidor-von-Sevilla/dp/386539177X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230380086&sr=8-1
(In case the link breaks, the ISBN is 987-3-86593-177-3, the title "Die Enzyklopädie des Isidor von Sevilla")
The translator choise to title it an 'Encyclopaedia' rather than etymologies. However, so far that was the only major issue I've had with the book. As a non-academic translation, it doesn't include the original text, but the translator (who has a PhD in history and studied Latin and theology) is very aware of linguistic concerns and not only always gives the original term being defined, but also leaves many other words that do not translate adequately in the Latin original. Of course the apparatus is limited (a bibliography with previous editions, translations and further reading), and the footnotes are largely limited to etymological questions. Still, the text is accessible and seems well translated.
I've just started browsing the back books (on implements, clothing, farming etc.) and it's almost pure reenactor porn. Don't expect step-by-step instructions on how to build stuff, but if you have a background in classical or medieval 'things', you can use it as guide to what works for a seventh-century background. If you are into theology, law or rhetoric, you'll also be well served. That is not so much my field, though. I'll trust the translator here.
Will update if warranted.
hock: And you thought high School German would never do you any good http://www.amazon.de/Die-Enzyklop ädie-Isidor-von-Sevilla/dp/386539177X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230380086&sr=8-1
(In case the link breaks, the ISBN is 987-3-86593-177-3, the title "Die Enzyklopädie des Isidor von Sevilla")
The translator choise to title it an 'Encyclopaedia' rather than etymologies. However, so far that was the only major issue I've had with the book. As a non-academic translation, it doesn't include the original text, but the translator (who has a PhD in history and studied Latin and theology) is very aware of linguistic concerns and not only always gives the original term being defined, but also leaves many other words that do not translate adequately in the Latin original. Of course the apparatus is limited (a bibliography with previous editions, translations and further reading), and the footnotes are largely limited to etymological questions. Still, the text is accessible and seems well translated.
I've just started browsing the back books (on implements, clothing, farming etc.) and it's almost pure reenactor porn. Don't expect step-by-step instructions on how to build stuff, but if you have a background in classical or medieval 'things', you can use it as guide to what works for a seventh-century background. If you are into theology, law or rhetoric, you'll also be well served. That is not so much my field, though. I'll trust the translator here.
Will update if warranted.
Der Kessel ist voll Bärks!
Volker Bach
Volker Bach
