Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences: Cross-Cultural Communication as a Mirror of Civilization (German Translations of Russian Literature as a Case in Point)

Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences / Cross-Cultural Communication as a Mirror of Civilization (German Translations of Russian Literature as a Case in Point)

Issue: Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences. 2012 5 (12)
Authors: Salevsky, Heidemarie
Contact information: Salevsky, Heidemarie: Translator , Berlin, Germany , e-mail:
Keywords: cross-cultural communication; culture; civilization; otherness; translation; Russian culture; German translations; Grossman; «Forever flowing
Abstract: In this article I would like to underscore Benjamin’s fundamental insights that on the one hand cultural life (like the greater empirical life of which it is a part) can best be seen in its temporal or historical trajectory, and that translation plays a vital role in this; and that on the other hand, translation is a temporal as well as spatial affair (Benjamin, 1923/1991). In the following I will touch briefly on some general aspects of the notions of civilization and culture (section 1), and the reflection of culture in translations (section 2) before dealing with the reflection of culture in a changing society in three German translations of Vasily Grossman’s story Vse tečet (Forever flowing)(section 3).
Pages: 1762-1771
Paper at repository of SibFU: https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/3222