TransLATINg the Bible: the Creation, Transmission, and Reception of the Latin Bible

KU Leuven is pleased to invite submissions for the conference ‘TransLATINg the  Bible: the Creation, Transmission, and Reception of the Latin Bible’, which will be held on 7–9 April 2027.

The text of KU Leuven’s call for papers follows below:

We welcome proposals for 30-minute papers (including discussion) engaging with the conference theme and methodological approaches outlined below.

Conference Theme

The impact of the Latin Bible on the Western world is difficult to overstate. For centuries, its phrases, narratives, and rhythms have served as the bedrock for art, culture, literature, theology, and philosophy. From the intricate illuminations of medieval codices to the intellectual frameworks of the Reformation, the Latin Bible has shaped not  only what people believe but what people think, how they act, and create. Moreover, the Latin biblical tradition remains central to modern textual criticism, informing the reconstruction of other versions—most notably the Greek New Testament. As is only appropriate for a textual tradition of such a legacy and importance, the study of Latin biblical texts has recently seen a renewed surge of systematic research into translation technique, manuscript transmission, and the complex reception of Latin biblical texts. To support and stimulate this growing momentum, we are pleased to announce the conference “TransLATINg the Bible.”

Conference Aims

The primary goal of this conference is to further consolidate the field of Latin Bible Studies. We aim to provide a dedicated forum for researchers to present new findings and to foster a community centered around the shared corpus of the Latin Bible. By bringing together specialists from diverse disciplines—including philology, linguistics, history, theology, translation studies, book history, and digital humanities—we endeavor to cross-pollinate methodological approaches and build new bridges within the field. Furthermore, this conference aims to combine research on the Old Testament and New Testament, which are often studied separately, to foster new collaborations and create a cross-disciplinary environment.

Scope and Themes

We welcome proposals for 30-minute papers on any aspect of the Latin Bible, from both the Old and New Testaments. Contributions may address the entire chronological and textual breadth of the tradition, from the earliest Vetus Latina witnesses to the many Vulgate revisions of the medieval and early modern periods. Submissions should include a title and an abstract of no more than 200 words to be sent to the conference organizers Anna Persig and Martijn Jaspers by 1 October 2026. Conference languages are English, French, or German. Proposals in other languages may be considered upon consultation with the organizers. Notification of acceptance will be sent in early November 2026. Presenters are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Translation Studies: How can we characterize the specific translation techniques employed within the Latin biblical tradition? What do these versions reveal about the translators’ objectives, their philological engagement with source texts, and their reliance on contemporary or traditional sources?
• Textual Criticism: What role do Latin witnesses play in reconstructing the broader history of biblical texts? How do they function as critical evidence for understanding the development and divergence of the underlying Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew traditions?
• Manuscript Studies & Book History: How did the materiality of the Latin Bible evolve through its physical transmission? In what ways do paratextual elements, such as prefaces, glosses, and marginalia, frame and guide the reader’s interpretation? How do these paratexts interact with the text, and how is the biblical text itself influenced by them?
• Reception History: What is the cultural, theological, and philosophical legacy of the Latin Bible across different eras? How have diverse audiences interacted with the text, and how has this shaped the history of art and literature?
• Linguistic Approaches: How does the Latin Bible serve as a laboratory for observing the diachronic development of the Latin language? What can it tell us about the shifts in Latin syntax, vocabulary, and register from late antiquity to the Renaissance?
• Digital Humanities: How can innovative computational tools—such as stylometry, digital collation, or network analysis—transform our understanding of the Latin Bible’s creation, dissemination, and complex transmission history?
• Contact

For questions regarding submissions or participation, please contact:
Dr. Anna Persig
Dr. Martijn Jaspers

We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming you to the conference ‘TransLATINg the Bible’.

Best wishes,
Dr. Anna Persig
Dr. Martijn Jaspers

Visual: Wikimedia, Prologus Ioanni – Vulgata Clementina 

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