Metaphrase

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A metaphrase ( Greek μετάφρασις "translation", from μετά "afterwards" and φράση "expression, sentence, phrase") is a literal translation into another expression, with poetry being converted into prose . A paraphrase , on the other hand, is a corresponding transmission without literal text repetition. Furthermore, the term describes the explanatory repetition of a word through a synonym. In this case the term is related to correctio and can be used as a rhetorical stylistic device.

Verbatim translation

Example:

"Early to bed and early to rise
makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

Metaphrase:

"Going to bed early and getting up early
makes a man healthy, rich and smart."

Paraphrase:

"The early bird catches the worm."

Explanatory repetition

Example:

"The little one, the child there [...]"

In this case, the term "little one" is made more precise and the word "child" outlines it more precisely. The metaphrase can therefore also be a self-correction of the speaker.

Individual evidence

  1. Otto F. Best : Handbook of literary technical terms. Definitions and examples 4th edition. Fischer, Frankfurt am Main 1998, p. 338, ISBN 3-596-11958-8 .