A Study of Women's Versions of the Psalms (1645-1715)

Abstract:

Between 1645 and 1715, nine women, out of about a hundred men, dared to translate the Psalms, even though this activity was not authorised by the Catholic Church. Some of them are known today, not for this work, but rather for their contributions to minor poetry genres (Antoinette Deshoulières, Antoinette Salvan de Saliez) or in the domain of spiritual literature (Madame Guyon). In order to understand the specificity and even the cohesion of this group of translations, this study focuses on the texts and their context, showing that these women, far from being isolated, were supported by an efficient network. The stylistic analysis of their works,moreover suggests that they shared a common will to revive the «manly style» paradoxically given up for political reasons by male writers in France at that period.

SvD, May 2009

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