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