Metaphrasis is a term derived from the Greek language, consisting of the combination of the words "meta" meaning "beyond" or "transformation," and "phrasis" meaning "expression" or "rendition." With this basis, metaphrasis can be defined as the act or process of transforming or translating a given text, speech, or language into another form while keeping the essence and meaning intact.
In literary terms, metaphrasis refers to the poetic practice of rewriting, restating, or paraphrasing existing texts, especially ancient texts or classical works. This technique aims to update or modernize the language, context, style, or form of the original work, while ensuring the intended message or aesthetic quality is maintained. Metaphrasis is often employed as a means of making these works more accessible to contemporary readers or audiences, or to expand upon certain aspects of the original material.
Beyond literature, metaphrasis can also be utilized in the field of linguistics, where it pertains to the process of translating or interpreting text from one language to another, particularly in instances where a direct word-for-word translation may not accurately convey the intended meaning. Metaphrasis takes into account cultural, linguistic, and contextual differences between languages to ensure a faithful and meaningful rendition. It involves not only the substitution of words, but also the adaptation of cultural references, idiomatic expressions, and grammatical structures to make the translation more fluent and natural.
Overall, metaphrasis encompasses the act of transforming, modernizing, or translating text or speech, while retaining its essence or significance, with applications in both literary and linguistic contexts.
