How Do You Spell METAPHRASTICAL?

Pronunciation: [mˌɛtəfɹˈastɪkə͡l] (IPA)

Metaphrastical is a rare and challenging English word. Pronounced /mɛtəˈfrastɪkəl/ (meh-tuh-FRAS-ti-kuhl), it is a derivative of the Greek word "metaphrasis" meaning "to translate or paraphrase." The "-ical" suffix implies an adjective form. Therefore, the word Metaphrastical is used to describe something that is related to or resembling a translation or paraphrase. Due to its complexity and rarity, it is not commonly used in everyday conversations, but it is often found in academic or scholarly writing.

METAPHRASTICAL Meaning and Definition

  1. Metaphrastical is an adjective derived from the word "metaphrastic," which is rarely used in contemporary language. It refers to the act of translating or converting a text from one language to another with a high degree of literal accuracy, often at the expense of stylistic adaptation or interpretative freedom. The term can be applied to various forms of translation, including literary works, religious texts, and legal documents.

    In a metaphrastical translation, the emphasis is primarily on maintaining the original meaning and preserving the words and structure of the source text as closely as possible. This approach aims to achieve a faithful rendition of the original content, focusing on the explicit, surface-level aspects rather than cultural nuances or linguistic variations that may exist between languages. Consequently, metaphrastical translations are often characterized by a lack of creative liberty, resulting in a somewhat mechanical or rigid rendering.

    The concept of metaphrastical translation is rooted in a belief that the source text should be treated as a fixed entity, providing the translator with a clear blueprint to follow. This method has been traditionally favored in certain contexts, such as legal or religious texts, where precision and accuracy are paramount.

    However, in contemporary translation theory and practice, metaphrastical translations are often criticized for their potential limitations. Critics contend that the strict adherence to the source text can lead to a loss of fluency, clarity, or stylistic grace in the target language. In contrast, other approaches might prioritize conveying the intended meaning while also adapting the text to make it more natural and accessible to the target audience.

Common Misspellings for METAPHRASTICAL

  • netaphrastical
  • ketaphrastical
  • jetaphrastical
  • mwtaphrastical
  • mstaphrastical
  • mdtaphrastical
  • mrtaphrastical
  • m4taphrastical
  • m3taphrastical
  • meraphrastical
  • mefaphrastical
  • megaphrastical
  • meyaphrastical
  • me6aphrastical
  • me5aphrastical
  • metzphrastical
  • metsphrastical
  • metwphrastical
  • metqphrastical
  • metaohrastical

Etymology of METAPHRASTICAL

The word "metaphrastical" is not commonly found in dictionaries or widely used in modern English. However, it can be broken down into its components to understand its possible etymology.

1. Metaphrastical: The word appears to be derived from the noun "metaphrasis" and the suffix "-ical".

2. Metaphrasis: This noun originates from the Greek word "metaphrasis" (μετάφρασις) meaning "translation" or "paraphrase". It is based on the verb "metaphrazein" (μεταφράζειν), which means "to translate" or "to paraphrase".

3. -ical: The suffix "-ical" is commonly used in English to form adjectives related to a particular noun. It indicates a characteristic, quality, or relationship to the base noun.