Conducted by a Doctor of Philological Sciences, professor of the Germanic Philology and Translation Department at Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen
Ivanytska Mariya Lonhynivna
October 30, 2024, applicants for bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the study programs Secondary Education (German Language and Literature), German Language and Literature, English and German Language and Literature, English Language and Translation have heard a guest lecture from Ivanytska Mariya, a Doctor of Philological Sciences, professor of the Germanic Philology and Translation Department at Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen, on the topic “The Role of Translation and Translators in Establishing the image of Ukraine in the World”.
In her report, Professor Ivanytska revealed the value of literature as a system of connection with society, the role of fiction translation in the life of society, and its influence on the process of shaping the country’s image in the world.
The lecturer analysed significant works of Israel researcher Itamar Even-Zohar and Belgium translation theorist André Lefevere and their views on the problems of translation studies, an approach to literary translation as a theory of rewriting and manipulation and the role which the concept of rewriting played in the turn of the translation studies towards culture and to the issues of power.
Maria Longynivna gave a clear description of the gradual process of forming an image of Ukraine in the world based on its perception through the perspective of translations of works of fiction, promotion of russian narratives about ‘one nation’ and appropriation of Ukrainian cultural property by russia. She concluded that thanks to the dedicated work of numerous Ukrainian cultural and literary figures and translators, over the years, Ukraine has already made its appearance on the mental literature map of Europe, but translations together with para- and metatexts in many cases still carry russian narratives which are the foundations of the russian imperial vision of the world and, when transmitted to Europe, have become a part of the German understanding of russia and still justify the war. Therefore, our main objective today, as people who are proficient in foreign languages, is to work hard on the literary translations which will contribute to the canonization of Ukrainian Literature in the receiving culture, consolidate it on the mental map of the receiving culture, establish the image of Ukrainian culture, and help to form or break down stereotypes about Ukraine and Ukrainians.
In addition to the students, the Head of the Department of German Philology Andrii Venhrynovych, Associate Professors Svitlana Lypka, Tetiana Monolatii, Natalia Tkatschuk, senior lecturers Aljona Pavlyshynets, Bohdana Petryshak, and assistant Nadiia Boichuk listened to the linguist with great interest. The students were attentive and took notes on the report, which they later discussed with the lecturers in class.
The Department of German Philology expresses its sincere gratitude to the esteemed Professor Ivanits’ka Mariya for her cooperation and looks forward to further guest lectures within the framework of cooperation between Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, as well as Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen.
Besides the students, the Head of the Department of German Philology Andrii Vengrynovych, associate professors Svitlana Lypka, Tetiana Monolatii, Natalia Tkatschuk, senior professors Olena Pavlyshynets, Bohdana Petryshak, and assistant Nadia Boychuk attended the lecture with a great interest. Students carefully listened and took notes on the speech, which they discussed with their teachers later in class.
The Department of German Philology expresses its sincere gratitude to the esteemed Professor Maria Longynivna Ivanitska for her collaboration and looks forward to further guest lectures within the framework of cooperation between Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, as well as the Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen.
