UNIT 3: The translation of humanistic texts: a preliminary approach

Optional task 3. Translate the following text taking into account all the elements
discussed in chapter 3, including the notions presented in this final section, related
to the role of culture and the view of translation as a purposeful activity. Provide a
brief analysis of the translation process justifying your solutions. Comment at least
four or five translation challenges.

A WALK AROUND NORWICH CATHEDRAL

1. Begin your tour at the WEST DOORS. From here the vast length and soaring height
of cathedral may be seen.
2. Above you, in the NAVE VAULT, are the carved and painted roof bosses showing
events from the Old and New Testaments.
3. The NAVE is the setting for great services and the normal Sunday Eucharist. There
are eight altars in the cathedral, each of them in turn for Holy Communion
throughout the week.
4. The PULPITUM SCREEN divides the building into two parts: the Nave, open to
everyone, and the Choir, reserved in earlier days for the Benedictine monks who
were responsible for life and worship of the cathedral.
5. The CHOIR, where the monks gathered seven times a day for worship, is now used
twice a day by the clergy, choir, and laypeople for Morning and Evening prayer.
Everyone is welcome.
6. The building's ground plan is a cross shape. Above are the tower and spire (the
second highest in England); and beneath, at the centre, is the LECTERN (in the
form of a pelican feeding her young with her own blood – a symbol of Christ)
where the Bible is read.
7. Before the High Alter is the TOMB OF THE FOUNDER, Bishop Herbert de Losinga,
who began the building in 1096.
8. At the top of the steps behind the High Altar is the BISHOP'S THRONE. Two
sections of carved stone beneath the wooden seat formed the sides of a throne
brought here from earlier sites and are at least 1200 years old. Now walk back to
the Crossing and turn right into the North Transept to begin your visit to the
chapels which surround the East End.