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Chapter 4 - Surgical Handbooks Translated into Low German

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 October 2022

By
Chiara Benati
Edited by
Irma Taavitsainen ,
Turo Hiltunen ,
Jeremy J. Smith  and
Carla Suhr
Irma Taavitsainen
Affiliation:
University of Helsinki
Turo Hiltunen
Affiliation:
University of Helsinki
Jeremy J. Smith
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow
Carla Suhr
Affiliation:
University of Helsinki
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Summary

The Low German translations of two of the earliest surgical handbooks printed in the High German language area (Brunschwig’s and von Gersdorff’s) represent two different and, in many respects, opposite forms of the use of medical texts.

In this chapter these two Low German translations are contrasted and discussed, with particular attention paid not only to their medium of transmission (print vs manuscript) and genre (handbook vs commonplace book), but also to their aim, function, and intended audience.

Keywords

High GermanLow Germanreceptionsurgical handbooksadaptation to new uses
Type
Chapter
Information
Genre in English Medical Writing, 1500–1820
Sociocultural Contexts of Production and Use
 , pp. 52 - 67
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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