A short history of translation and translators

The first “fine” translations into English were produced by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. Chaucer founded an English poetic tradition based on translations or adaptations of literary works in Latin and French, two languages that were more established than English at the time. The “finest” religious translation was the “Wycliffe’s Bible” (1382-84), named after John Wycliffe, the theologian who translated the Bible from Latin to English.

• The first “fine” translations into English were produced by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. Chaucer founded an English poetic tradition based on translations or adaptations of literary works in Latin and French, two languages that were more established than English at the time. The “finest” religious translation was the “Wycliffe’s Bible” (1382-84), named after John Wycliffe, the theologian who translated the Bible from Latin to English.