In-between Calvinism and Islam: Ali Bey's Transcultural Translation of the Bible into Turkish in the Time of Confessionalization

Albertus Bobovius/Ali Ufkî Bey was a typical go-between of his time, learned translator and convert who benefited from double religious sensitivity. As consequence, he able to create transcultural translation the Bible in 17th century. This paper brings context these aspects life. Ali created works on religion during time intensive confessionalization, when Istanbul hub for many political interests with various cultural options intersecting Ottoman capital. The project translating national languages Islam carried out according vision an alliance between reformed Christian groups, supporting thesis Calvino-Turkism, promoted by John Amos Comenius. oriental scholars were lacking sufficient command Turkish, they had commission highly qualified go-betweens. There two competing plans: Dutch Calvinist Anglican. Bobovius part plan, along Yahya Bin Ishak, Jewish dragoman. strategies chosen very modern present knowledge art translation, but era, there difficulties choosing right language register imagery find proper equivalents. Underestimated contemporaries, rehabilitated today’s linguists, “Turkish Bible” is still use today. text does not contest identity author this presents hybridity figure against background wider historical confessional 17th-century Istanbul. It also provides examples Bobovius’s choices initial interpretation methodology timeless perspective contemporary theories. In light studies, present-day scholarship may treat as agent gifted go-between.