One of the many reasons Geoffrey Chaucer ’s 14th - C magnum opusThe Canterbury Talesis considered a groundbreaking collection of stories is because he chose to write it not in a highbrow language like Latin or French , but in the common tongue of the citizenry : Middle English . Since conversational English has alter quite a turn over the retiring seven centuries , The Canterbury Talesthat you might have encounter in high shoal look and sounds importantly different than it did when Chaucer first created it .
To give us a hazard to hearThe Canterbury Talesin its original , lyrical glory , an external squad of research worker based at the University of Saskatchewan develop anappthat learn it aloud in Middle English .
" We want the public , not just academic , to see the manuscript as Chaucer would have likely thought of it — as a performance that miscellaneous drama and humor , " University of Saskatchewan English prof Peter Robinson , who contribute the project , said in apress departure .
The app includes a 45 - minute of arc narration of the “ General Prologue , ” and the researcher have plans for at least two more apps , which will focus on “ The Miller ’s Tale ” and other storey . If you ’re not exactly well - versed in Middle English , do n’t worry — the app also contains a line - by - business line modern translation of the school text , so you could play along along as you listen .
Because Geoffrey Chaucer diedbefore finishingThe Canterbury Tales , scholars have pieced together more than 80 one C - honest-to-god manuscripts over the years to follow up with different editions of his employment , but there is n’t one definitive textual matter . The version of the “ General Prologue ” featured in this app is the Hengwrt ms , believed to bewrittenby Chaucer ’s own scribe , Adam Pinkhurst .
“ His work and his Passion of Christ for Chaucer was an inspiration to us , " Robinson said . " We talked a lot about Chaucer and it was his idea that theTaleswould be turned into a performance . "
you’re able to download the app for free onGoogle PlayoriTunes , or check out the screen background versionhere .
