TRANSLATION OF THE LATIN ABLATIVE ABSOLUTE IN CROATO-GLAGOLITIC TEXTS

Abstract

In this paper we analyse the translations of the Latin ablative absolute in chosen Croato-Glagolitic texts that were translated from Latin. Ablative absolute is most frequently translated with the help of the Croatian Church Slavonic absolute structures in the dative or instrumental case. Dative absolute is an older structure and its appearance in a translation can be used to date it. The instrumental case appears in the translations because the translators see it as the Croatian Church Slavonic equivalent of the ablative. In the analysed translations absolute constructions were used more frequently than dependent clauses, which are nowadays used as translation equivalents in order to remain as close as possible to the original text. When translating the ablative absolute with the help of absolute constructions the word order from the original is closely mirrored. The Latin participle which is a part of that construction is translated by the present or past participle. Present participle is often translated by the past participle of perfective verbs when dealing with prefixed verbs and verbs which are considered as momentary by the translator (e.g. veniente abbate: opatь prišad’še).