I posted last week about Comparing Text Editions to Determine Common Errors. At the end of that post, I was brainstorming/blathering (the line is fine; I cross it often) about a project/experiment to start with a known text and have a group of folks copy it. Folks would return their copies to me. Then I'd examine the copies to see what sorts of errors cropped up.

I realize some folks have done this sort of thing in classroom settings; others have approached the problem backwards — starting with an intentionally corrupted text and attempting to reconstruct the textual basis.

I'm thinking of something a little different. I have a general interest in manuscript transmission and scribal habits (hence the title of the post). I've read some about this — various articles as well as the standards from Metzger and Aland/Aland — but know that I learn best when I dive in and do stuff.

So, I'd like to think seriously about a project that starts with a known vorlage and copies it. And then it collates the copies against the original. If participation warrants, further generations of copies can be made and then even more fun can be had (MS reconstruction, anyone?); but that would not be part of the original project.

I'd like to offer these general thoughts and guidelines.

First: Only folks with some knowledge of the Greek language are candidates. I'd like to set the bare minimum at one year of instruction in the Greek language and relatively active use. That is, if I took one year of Greek ten years ago and haven't used it since, I'd be ineligible. But if I took a year of Greek ten years ago and still refer to the Greek NT when studying, I'd be eligible. If I've used Greek a lot but typically through Strongs numbers ... well, I wouldn't be eligible. If my only experience is with interlinears ... well, I wouldn't be eligible. I'm willing to make exceptions to those who plead their case, however, so if this interests you please be sure to inquire (see Eighth point below).

Second: The text copied will be an entire epistle as I'd like a large chunk with plenty of opportunity for error. I have to admit alternative motives for the epistle I've chosen. I hope to next year begin an in-depth examination of Second Timothy. Since I will be reading (and re-reading, and re-reading) the copied passage, it makes sense to select Second Timothy so that I will get intimately familiar with the Greek of the letter in the process.

Third: The text copied will not have verse breaks, chapter breaks, accents, breathing marks or punctuation. It will use the characters we're all familiar with, however. I won't be up-casing the text and removing spaces. I'll supply the canonical PDF copy (which will be the Westcott-Hort edition with accents/etc. removed) to those interested.

Fourth: I'll be copying too, don't worry. But I should say that participants will be expected to copy the text; no fair playing scribal tricks on Rico and emending the text. If a text is deemed sufficiently corrupt as to have been submitted in bad faith, I'll simply exclude it from the sample.

Fifth: All copying is to be done by hand (no typing) on clean unruled paper. Ink (any color) is required. Paper size is at your discretion. If you are familiar with scribal habits, you are free to employ such as you see fit (e.g. adding light margins and/or rules in pencil to your paper to assist with the copying process). Manuscript illuminations are optional. Also optional: Make a palimpsest by copying something in pencil first, erasing it, and then writing the Second Timothy passage in ink over the erased portion. Or vice-versa: Second Timothy in pencil, erase, and copy something in ink over the top. (I'm only half joking).

Sixth: All original copies are to be sent to me. I'll provide further information on the expectations and process as well as my mailing address to those who express interest.

Seventh: By returning a copy you are giving me your work. You'll be credited, of course, but I will be free to publish images or excerpts thereof online, in print or wherever I see fit. Conference papers, books, articles, or blathering along on the internet somewhere. If this project commences, I can fairly much guarantee that anonymous images of your copies will be put on the internet. Your name will likely be cited in associated material but not directly with a given MS copy so as to keep the copies themselves somewhat anonymous.

Eighth: If you're interested in taking part, contact me at text geek at g mail dot com. The address is also in the sidebar to the right if you are unable to munge the above into an address. If there are ten (10) respondants willing to take part in this project, then I'll consider it a go and get materials together for distribution.

I'll post more on the project status if there is sufficient interest. If you've made it this far and have a suggestion for the project name, please leave a comment with your suggestion.

Thanks!