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Translation Contests

Maurine Dallas Watkins Translation Contests

The society sponsors an annual translation contest for students of Greek and Latin at schools with active chapters.  The contest has been conducted for over sixty years and is named in honor of Maureen Dallas Watkins, the American playwright most famous for the play Chicago.  Ms. Watkins made a generous donation in support of the contests and the general mission of the society

Annual Greek Translation Contest

Advanced: This contest consists of the sight translation of a passage in Greek which is considered within the comprehension of students beyond the second year of college Greek.

Intermediate: This contest consists of the sight translation of a passage in Greek which is considered within the comprehension of students in the second year of college Greek (courses commonly designated by numbers at the 200 or 2000 level). It is intended for such students only.

Koiné: This contest consists of the sight translation of a passage of Koiné Greek which is considered within the comprehension of students in the second year of college Greek or beyond.

Annual Latin Translation Contest

Advanced: This contest consists of the sight translation of a passage in Latin which is considered within the comprehension of students beyond the second year of college Latin.

Intermediate: This contest consists of the sight translation of a passage in Latin which is considered within the comprehension of students in the second year of college Latin (courses commonly designated by numbers at the 200 or 2000 level). It is intended for such students only.

Annual Latin Prose Composition Contest

This contest consists of the translation of a passage of English into Latin. The contest is intended for advanced students of Latin who are in their third or fourth year of college Latin. Contestants may use a dictionary (without paradigms), e.g., Cassell’s.

Prizes

For the advanced contests, including the Latin Prose Composition Contest, first prize will be $100.00, second prize $75.00, and third prize $50.00. For the intermediate contests, first prize will be $75.00, second prize $50.00, and third prize $40.00. All winners will also receive a certificate of recognition.

Eligibility

The contests are open to students in classes in Greek and/or Latin in colleges and universities which have active chapters of Eta Sigma Phi. Up to three students may enter each contest.

Deadlines

E-mailed requests for testing materials should be sent to Joseph Garnjobst (joseph.garnjobst@hillsdale.edu) by February 16, 2024. These materials will be sent as e-mail attachments to the adviser, who will make copies as needed and administer the tests during the week of February 19-23. Completed tests must be received no later than March 1. Winners will be announced in conjunction with the annual convention.