On Translating Grundtvig

Abstract

Grundtvig’s works have never been extensively translated into English.1 The first
modern translation of over half a million of Grundtvig’s words in six English volumes is the basis of this article. The difficulty of translating Grundtvig into English has long been recognised. Examples are given of the level of understanding that is required and of previous translations of a key hymn. Grundtvig is presented as the catalyst of modern Denmark, a man whose contribution surpasses all others and one who has no rival in any other country as the single founder of its values of freedom, learning, and cooperation.