Category Archives: Comme Le Prevoit

A final word on our document: 43. Texts translated from another language are clearly not sufficient for the celebration of a fully renewed liturgy. The creation of new texts will be necessary. But translation of texts transmitted through the tradition … Continue reading →

A bit more on those situations in which many nations share a single language, mostly organizational stuff, not technical or theological: 42. In those cases where a single text is prepared for a large number of countries, the text should … Continue reading →

We head into part III, Committees for Translating: 38. To make the translations, committees should be formed of experts in the various disciplines, namely, liturgy, Scripture, theology, pastoral study, and especially languages and literature, and, according to circumstances, music. If … Continue reading →

Let’s take into account the vocal delivery needed for liturgical texts, especially acclamations: 35. All texts which are intended to be said aloud follow the laws proper to their delivery and, in the case of written texts, their literary genre. … Continue reading →

“Integral” and “faithful” translation is recommended for certain prayers: 33. Some euchological and sacramental formularies like the consecratory prayers, the anaphoras, prefaces, exorcisms, and those prayers which accompany an action, such as the imposition of hands, the anointing, the signs … Continue reading →

The Consilium turns to “particular considerations” as we head into part II of the document. Scripture is a significant part of the translation picture, and forty years after the Council, English-speakers still have a rather unsatisfactory effort. And I hear … Continue reading →

28. Among the separate elements are those which are essential and others which are secondary and subsidiary. The essential elements. so far as is possible, should be preserved in translation, sometimes intact, sometimes in equivalent terms. The general structure of … Continue reading →

If you’re one of our new visitors, Comme Le Prevoit is the 1969 Vatican document addressing liturgical translation. Dry stuff perhaps, compared to Neil’s learned commentary, my space pictures, or my kitty cats, but an important chapter in the never-ending … Continue reading →

Why is adaptation necessary? 21. A translation of the liturgy therefore often requires cautious adaptation. But cases differ: 22. a. Sometimes a text can be translated word for word and keep the same meaning as the original, for example, pleni … Continue reading →

20. c. The prayer of the Church is always the prayer of some actual community, assembled here and now. It is not sufficient that a formula handed down from some other time or region be translated verbatim, even if accurately, … Continue reading →

More spotlight for English in the following sections: 16. b. Certain other principles should be observed so that a translation will be understood by the hearers in the same sense as the revealed truths expressed in the liturgy. 17. 1. … Continue reading →

We’ll just cover the first point and save the others for a future post: 14. The accuracy and value of a translation can only be assessed in terms of the purpose of the communication. To serve the particular congregations who … Continue reading →

Comme Le Prevoit follows an interesting practice of designating subheadings a, b, c, etc. as separately numbered sections. This morning, we look at the process of building out from the “scientific” approach of textual study.   9. To discover the … Continue reading →

We begin section 5 with general principles of translation. We go to the root of the use of words, in the case of liturgy, a means of spoken communication: 5. A liturgical text, inasmuch as it is a ritual sign, … Continue reading →

The 1969 document Comme Le Prevoit–On The Translation of Liturgical Texts For Celebrations With A Congregation is one of the most controversial in the post-conciliar liturgy collection. Its authorship is attributed to the Consilium, the standing committee assembled to oversee … Continue reading →