Skomorokhova, Svetlana (2012) "Arising from the depths" (Kupala) : a study of Belarusian literature in English translation. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Using Belarusian as a case study of a ‘minority’ European literature, this thesis
explores the role of literary translation in the negotiation and promotion of a national
identity (represented by two opposing discourses of “Old/European” and “New/Soviet”
‘Belarusianness’) as accomplished through translation from a lesser-known European
tongue into the current global hegemonic language. In so doing, the research provides a
wide historical panorama of all known literary translations from Belarusian to English,
focusing on those published in the 20th and 21st centuries. While outlining the major
tendencies of the translation process, the study considers the issues of both reception
(focusing on the TL literary system) and representation (focusing on the negotiation of a
Belarusian identity), recognising complex ideological, historical and political processes
which accompany and, in many cases, predetermine translations and translation
strategies.
After examining the available terminology for the description of ‘minority’ in
literary theory and translation studies, this research considers Belarus’ position as an
Eastern European, post-Soviet country and discusses the case for the adoption of a
postcolonial approach to the interpretation of ‘Belarusianness’. Another innovative aspect
of the study lies in the contribution of a non-Western perspective to the current discussion
of European minority languages in translation studies (Baer 2011; Branchadell and West
2005; Cronin 1995, 2003; Tymoczko 1995, 1999).
A pioneering work on the history of Belarusian-English literary translation, this
research defines several periods of translation activities: the ‘early’ translations of the
1890s – 1940s which mark the discovery of Belarusian folklore; the translations of the
‘Cold War’ period (1950s – 1980s) with two opposing ‘camps’ producing works
provoked by nationalist (Western-based translations) or socialist (Soviet Union)
ideologies; and, finally, the current post-independence period of Belarusian-English
translation (1991-2012), with an analysis of the reasons for a relative inactivity. The
evidence is based on a wide range of translations published as individual books and
anthologies of poetry and prose, as well as those found in periodicals. It also includes
previously unpublished findings from materials located in personal and national archives
in Russia, Belarus, and the UK.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PG Slavic, Baltic, Albanian languages and literature
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Belarusian literature -- Translations into English
Official Date:	October 2012
Dates:	Date Event October 2012 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Bassnett, Susan; Kuhiwczak, Piotr
Sponsors:	Warwick Postgraduate Reserach Scholarship
Extent:	347 leaves.
Language:	eng

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