Modern English Translation of The Federalist Papers
I am a professional translator with an AAS degree from St. Paul College. I worked as a translator both in the community, at the University of Iowa, and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics while finishing my degrees at the UI. The imperative for all translation assignments is to convey the exact message. During the four years that I spent writing my first translation of The Federalist Papers, I used Webster's Third International Dictionary to learn the 18th-century definitions of words.
Why Read The Federalist Papers?
The very most important thing that you’ll learn from The Federalist Papers is how tyrants gain power over any group or society, how the US Constitution was created to block abuse of power, how the current abuse of power by the federal government is the result of ignoring the Constitution, and how the people can use the Constitution to stop the development of tyranny.
The Federalist Papers uses psychology to explain group behavior, often citing historical examples. Current readers of the Papers can quickly think of examples from the last century to verify the authors’ conclusions. For example, Federalist Paper Number 1, paragraph 5 seems to explain the rise of Hitler, “Dangerous ambition is more often masked by a zeal for the rights of the people than the zeal for a firm and efficient government. History teaches us that most men who have overturned the liberties of republics began their career by proclaiming their devotion to the people. They gain position by arousing people's prejudices and end as tyrants.”
By reading a modern language translation of The Federalist Papers you will also learn:
· what the Federalist Papers are,
· why the Articles of Confederation needed to be replaced,
· the history of republics,
· the power and responsibilities of the federal and state governments,
how the Constitution blocks abuse of power,
· why it is safer to have a united country,
· why neighboring countries often go to war,
· the federal government's limited powers,
· how to reduce the violence of faction,
· the importance of a republic, federal system, and Separation of Powers,
· Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Powers
· what is the system of Checks and Balances,
· how tyranny takes root, grows, and blocks liberty,
· why a Bill of Rights is redundant and can be dangerous,
· how to defend the Constitution and,
· much, much more!
Why should you read a translation?
Some people believe that just because the Papers were written 240 years ago by our Founding Fathers, the language is “beautiful.” I agree that the language used in the U.S. Constitution is succinct and beautiful. The language of the Papers is not. When reading Alexander Hamilton’s writing, I had a problem remembering the subject of the sentence/paragraph as I was reading the final clauses. His message was always important, relevant, and momentous. But his writing style needs intense concentration.
One review on Amazon said this:
5.0 out of 5 stars Heavy but Readable Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2022
The original Federalist Papers are worded so strangely to a modern reader that after only a few sentences I would find myself seeing words but understanding nothing. I would have to start over several times just to comprehend what is written, and then pause even longer to agree or disagree.
This modern language version is such a valuable resource.
I’ve put the original text of the first paragraph of Paper Number 10 below.
AMONG the numerous advantages promised by a well constructed Union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of faction. The friend of popular governments never finds himself so much alarmed for their character and fate, as when he contemplates their propensity to this dangerous vice. He will not fail, therefore, to set a due value on any plan which, without violating the principles to which he is attached, provides a proper cure for it. The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils, have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished; as they continue to be the favorite and fruitful topics from which the adversaries to liberty derive their most specious declamations. The valuable improvements made by the American constitutions on the popular models, both ancient and modern, cannot certainly be too much admired; but it would be an unwarrantable partiality, to contend that they have as effectually obviated the danger on this side, as was wished and expected. Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous citizens, equally the friends of public and private faith, and of public and personal liberty, that our governments are too unstable, that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties, and that measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority. However anxiously we may wish that these complaints had no foundation, the evidence, of known facts will not permit us to deny that they are in some degree true. It will be found, indeed, on a candid review of our situation, that some of the distresses under which we labor have been erroneously charged on the operation of our governments; but it will be found, at the same time, that other causes will not alone account for many of our heaviest misfortunes; and, particularly, for that prevailing and increasing distrust of public engagements, and alarm for private rights, which are echoed from one end of the continent to the other. These must be chiefly, if not wholly, effects of the unsteadiness and injustice with which a factious spirit has tainted our public administrations. [My translation is below.]
Also, the English language has evolved over the past 240 years. Even the meanings (and spelling) of some words have changed. The message left by our Founding Fathers is vital, not the exact words.
The Federalist Papers discuss the problem of using language to convey a message:
“…Humans use words to express ideas. Clear expression requires well-formed ideas and the appropriate words. But no language has words and phrases for every complex idea. And many words have several meanings. Therefore, the definition of even a precise subject can be inaccurate because words are inaccurate. This unavoidable inaccuracy grows worse as the subject becomes more complex or novel.
“When God, Himself, talks to mankind in our language, His meaning—brilliant as it must be—is made dim and doubtful by the cloudy medium through which it is communicated.
“There are three sources of vague and incorrect definitions: (1) indistinctness of the subject, (2) the brain’s imperfections, and (3) the language’s inadequacies. When the constitutional convention worked to define the boundary between federal and State jurisdictions, it must have experienced all three problems.”
[Federalist Paper #37 [paragraphs 10-11], The Federalist Papers: Modern English Edition Two]
I’ve spent many years studying psychology. By the time I reached Paper 37, I was amazed that The Federalist Papers was, essentially, a great psychology text. To have it also explain the need for a “translation”—it added to my amazement.
So, here’s my translation of the first paragraph of Paper Number 10.
A well-constructed Union is the best way to control the violence of faction. Faction is a dangerous vice that occurs in popular governments. We welcome a plan that provides a cure for faction without violating the principles of liberty.
Unstable and unjust government agencies and departments kill popular governments. Opponents of the Constitution use this excuse in their most specious arguments.
The American State constitutions improve the popular governing models, both ancient and modern. They were expected to remove the danger, but they don't.
Our most virtuous citizens, men devoted to personal liberty, complain that our governments are too unstable. They say rival parties disregard the public good. An overbearing majority too often make decisions that should be based on justice and the rights of the minority party.
We may wish that these complaints had no foundation, but the evidence shows that they are in some degree true.
The government has been erroneously blamed for some of our problems. However, other causes, alone, don't account for our worst misfortunes. All across the continent, people worry about the nation's debt and they fear loss of their personal rights. This is largely the effect of distrusting the unjust, factious spirit that is part of our government administration.
[Federalist Paper #10 [paragraphs 1], The Federalist Papers: Modern English Edition Two]
How Can You Get My Translations of The Federalist Papers?
My translations of The Federalist Papers are available on Amazon. I recommend The Federalist Paper: Modern English Edition Two. Currently, the Kindle edition doesn’t have all the links that it needs. I’m still working on correcting that. If you want me to email you a PDF or Word copy, contact me and I’ll bill you for $8 and send them. If you want a signed copy of any of my books, contact me.
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