Interlinear Translations of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

THE GEOFFREY CHAUCER PAGE  Interlinear Translations of Some of The Canterbury Tales Go directly to list of translated textsThese translations of the Canterbury Tales arefor those beginning their study ofChaucer's language. They supply merely a pony and by no meanscan they serve as a substitute for the original, nor even for a good translation. Often the syntax of the interlinear translation willbe awkward in Modern English, since the aim is to supply asomewhat literal translation to make clear the meaning of the Middle English words. For the same reason there is no attemptto reproduce in Modern English the spirit and tone of the original(even if that were possible). The translation is more often"word for word" than "sense for sense." You may find that some of the lines remainobscure even in translation, since more explanation may be needed than a bare translationcan supply. This is especially true of passages dealing withtechnical matters such as astronomy or medicine.In such cases, consult the Explanatory Notes in an edition such as The Riverside Chaucer, or The CanterburyTales Complete.These translations should be used for a first reading; gocarefully through the text, concentrating on the MiddleEnglish and checking your reading against the translation.Then move on to the original in whatever printed text you areusing, and refer back to this text only when you encounterdifficulties. For such quick reference, once you have opened a translationuse the "Find" utility on your browser (Control F) to search for the words or phrases you want to see.The translations of the prose tales are somewhat different. An interlinear translation is supplied for the Melibee, but the interlinear form is rather awkward and attimes distracting, and many readers might prefer the straightforward translation,which is also supplied. For the Parson's Tale only a straightforward translation issupplied. The assumption is that only advanced students will want to read thetale, and such readers are well beyond needing the aid of an interlinear translation.However, even beginning readers can profit from a translation. The prose works -- the Melibee and the Parson'sTale -- are essential parts of the Canterbury Tales,and they deserve a larger readership than they now have. Fragment I   The General Prologue     The Knight's Tale    The Miller's Prologue and Tale    The Reeve's Prologue and Tale    The Cook's Prologue and TaleFragment II    The Man of Law's Introduction, Prologue, Tale, and Epilogue Fragment III    The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale    The Friar's Prologue and Tale    The Summoner's Prologue and Tale Fragment IV    The Clerk's Prologue and Tale     The Clerk's Envoy     The Merchant's Prologue, Tale, and EpilogueFragment V    The Squire's Introduction and Tale    The Franklin's Prologue and TaleFragment VI    The Physician's Tale    The Pardoner's Introduction, Prologue, and TaleFragment VII    The Shipman's Tale     The Shipman-Prioress Link    The Prioress's Prologue and Tale    Sir Thopas (Prologue, Tale, and the Host's Interruption)    The Tale of Melibee (interlinear)    The Tale of Melibee (modern English translation)     The Monk's Prologue, Tale.     The Nun's Priest's Prologue, Tale,and EpilogueFragment VIII    The Second Nun's Prologue and Tale    The Canon's Yeoman's Prologue and Tale.Fragment IX    The Manciple's Prologue and TaleFragment X    The Parson's Prologue    The Parson's Tale    Chaucer's Retractionm  Back to the Teach Yourself Page |or Lesson 10 | or the Geoffrey Chaucer Page | (or use your browser's back button to return to theprevious page.)Last modified: Sept 21, 2006 Texts on this page prepared and maintained by L. D. Benson (ldb@wjh.harvard.edu)     An interlinear trnslation of Troilus and Criseyde is now in preparation