Презентація "Taras Shevchenko in the English-speaking world"

Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko (1814 – 1861)

Taras Shevchenko in the English-speaking world

Objectives: to acquaint students with the influence of T. Shevchenko's poetry abroad, to demonstrate world-famous translations of works into English, to develop a sense of pride for their country and its people, to promote the development of communicative abilities of students, their extracurricular activities Materials: portraits of the poet, reproductions of paintings of the poet, photographs of monuments in Ukraine and abroad.

Presenter of a literary conference Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to our literary conference dedicated to the 206-th anniversary of the birthday of the great Ukrainian poet and painter Taras Shevchenko. The conference will be held in English. But taking into consideration that not all members of the Ukrainian delegation are fluent in English, we will use a translation into Ukrainian. Since the conference time is limited, we can only listen to the fragments of the verses of the great poet. I declare the conference open.

1.Taras Shevchenko is truly one of the classics of world literature. His humanity, brilliant images of people make it understandable and close to people of different nations, although he is a poet of Ukraine . An image of Shevchenko's poetic genius can not be overstated.  “Impressive music of his Ukrainian poetry " reached the highest level of lyrical poetry , which could create man. That's why hundreds of attempts to translate Shevchenko were made on almost all the major languages of the world . English language, which is spoken and understood by all continents, introduced Shevchenko to the world of reading community the most.

2. The American, Canadian and English literature includes works of Taras Shevchenko in parallel.  130 years ago linguist Andriy Onufrievich Goncharenko did the first attempt to introduce the English-speaking world the Ukrainian Taras Shevchenko

3. Depth analysis and detailed information about Shevchenko we can find in the writings of William Richard Morfil, the famous English Slavic professor at Oxford University in 1876. Morfil tryed to translate Shevchenko. His traslation of "Testament" was honest, but not very poetic. With all sympathy for the Ukrainian poet as a fighter against serfdom, Morfil was far from understanding Shevchenko.

To acquaint English readers with Shevchenko's poetry tried more than 80 translators. Many of poems have several interpretations.

Beside the CottageTranslated by Herbert Marshal (1964) Beside the cottage cherry-trees are swinging, Above the cherries may-bugs winging, Ploughmen with their ploughs are homeward heading, And lassies as they are singing, While mothers wait with supper ready.

Садок вишневий коло хати. Садок вишневий коло хати, Хрущі над вишнями гудуть, Плугатарі з плугами йдуть, Співають ідучи дівчата, А матері вечерять ждуть

My Testament Translated by John Weir (1961 – 1962) I am dead, then bury me In my beloved Ukraine, My tomb upon a grave mound high Amid the splendid plain. So that the fields, the boundless steppes, The Dnieper’s plunging shore My eyes could see, my ears could hear The mighty river roar.

Заповіт Як умру, то поховайте Мене на могилі, Серед степу широкого, На Вкраїні милій, Щоб лани широкополі, І Дніпро, і кручі Було видно, було чути, Як реве ревучий.

5. In the early twentieth century among English translation Shevchenko stands Ethel Lilian Voynich - English writer and composer, author of the famous novel "Gadfly" Not forgetting the details Ethel Lilian Voynich preserved the wealth of content and originality of the original style: repetition, melody internal rhymes, rhetorical appeals.

I care no longer if the child… (Translated by Ethel Lilian Voynich)I care no longer if the child Shall pray for me, or pass me by. One only thing I I cannot bear: To know my land, that was beguiled Into a death – trap with a lie, Trampled and ruined and defiled… Ah, but I care, dear God; I care

Мені однаково, чи буде… Мені однаково, чи буде… Той син молитися, чи ні… Та не однаково мені, Як Україну злії люди Присплять лукавії в огні Її обкраденною, збудять… Ох, не однаково мені!

The famous English poet Vera Rich introduced English readers with the highest number of Shevchenko’s verses. From 1960 to 1969 she published 51 translations. Among them - 9 poems  Her translations are the most poetic and congenial understanding of poetry and original works. Vera Rich

It Doesn’t Touch Me… Translated by Vera Rich (1961) It does not touch me, not a whit If I live in Ukraine or no, If men recall me, or forget, Lost as I am, in foreign snow, - Touches me not the slightest whit.

Мені однаково, чи буду Мені однаково, чи буду Я жить в Україні, чи ні. Чи хто згадає, чи забуде Мене в снігу на чужині – Однаковісінько мені.

In 1933 his English translations published the Canadian Ukrainian poet Onufry Ivakh. His translations reproduce the original melody very well. There is a clear vision of Shevchenko’s images.

Above the dirty sky; below the sleepy sea; And yonder stretching far away Along the shore, in a drunk way The rushes droop without a wind.

«Ой, одна я, одна…»: І небо невмите, і заспані хвилі; І понад берегом геть – геть – Неначе п’яний очерет Без вітру гнеться.

Ivan Vyvyurskyy (known under the name of John Veer ) Having translated 29 verses John Veer attained mastery of Shevchenko’s lyrics and was able to pass at least partially the whole range of emotional tones of the originals.

When I Was ThirteenTranslated by John Weir (1847) My thirteenth birthday soon would come. I herded lambkins on the lea. Was it the magic of the sun, Oh what was it affected me? I felt with joy all overcome As though in heaven… The time for lunch had long passed by, And still among the weeds I lay And prayed to God… I know not why It was so pleasant then to pray For me, an orphan peasant boy, Or why such bliss so filled me there? The sky seemed bright, the village fair, The very lambs seemed to rejoice! The sun’s rays warmed but did not sear!

Мені тринадцятий минало… Мені тринадцятий минало. Я пас ягнята за селом. Чи то так сонечко сіяло, Чи так мені чого було? Мені так любо, любо стало, Неначе в Бога…

The Mighty Dnieper RoarsTranslated by John Weir (1961) The mighty Dnieper roars and bellows, The wind in anger howls and raves, Down to the ground it bends the willows And mountain-high lifts up the waves. The pale-faced moon picked out this moment To peek out from behind the cloud, Like a canoe upon the ocean It first tips up, and then dips down.

Реве та стогне Дніпр широкий Реве та стогне Дніпр широкий, Сердитий вітер завива, Додолу верби гне високі, Горами хвилю підійма. І блідий місяць на ту пору Із хмари де-де виглядав, Неначе човен в синім морі, То виринав, то потопав.

A DreamTranslated by John Weir (1952-1964) We fly… I look – the dawn arrives, The sky’s edge bursts ablaze; In shady glades the nightingales Sing out the new sun’s praise. The breezes softly, lightly wake The steppe lands from their dreams; In the lash valleys, by the lakes The willows shimmer green. The orchards, heavy laden, bow; The poplars stand at ease Like sentinels when all is well, And gossip with the fields.

Сон Летим. Дивлюся, аж світає, Край неба палає, Соловейко в темнім гаї Сонце зустрічає. Тихесенько вітер віє, Степи, лани мріють, Меж ярами над ставами Верби зеленіють. Сади рясні похилились, Тополі по волі Стоять собі, мов сторожа, Розмовляють з полем.

9. Works of the great poet were published not only individually but also in the collections with commentaries of publishers, editors or known people. Іn 1959-63 in Chicago the publishing house of Nicholas Denysyuk republished Shevchenko’s  volumes

In 1961 Vasyl Barka published a book about Shevchenko"True Poet".

In 1964 Luka Lutsiv published the book " Ukrainian singer of fame and freedom“with the poetry of Shevchenko .

11. The Shevchenko Museum is located in Toronto, in Canada. The central focus of the Museum are exhibits dedicated to the art, life and literary legacy of the founder of the modern Ukrainian language.

12. Monuments to Shevchenko are erected in many countries all over the world usually at the initiative of local Ukrainian diasporas. People of all races, nationalities, beliefs and political views see the erection of monuments to Shevchenko as a demonstration of deep respect and love to a Ukrainian national genius, and as international recognition of his contribution to world culture.

 Winnipeg, Canada

Washington, USA

New York State, USA

Budapest,Hungary

Rome, Italy

Warsaw, Poland

Buharest, Romania

Sofia, Bulgaria

Presenter of a literary conference: Shevchenko made ​​an enormous contribution not only in Ukrainian literature and painting, but also the treasury of world literature

He is a genius of Ukrainian folk, world-famous person who had a great influence on the workship of famous writers and poets all over the world

We, The Ukrainians, should be proud to be the compatriots of such a great person, strive to be his worthy heirs and never forget the wise words of the genius: “Чужому научайтесь, і свого не цурайтесь”