Within the framework of studying of a whole cycle of disciplines and to raise awareness among the modern information society about profession of translator, second-year students of the specialty "Philology" of the Faculty of Humanities of the National University "Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic" met with Oleksandra Hryhorenko, a famous Ukrainian translator of German literature, non-fiction and books for children. The meeting was moderated by Doctor of Philology, Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation at the National University "Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic" Tetiana Kushnirova.
Due to quarantine restrictions, communication was held in online format. The range of professional issues considered by the participants of the meeting impressed with its practical orientation and individual approaches. The speaker told about the peculiarities of the development of translation studies in Ukraine, shared cases based on the activities of the initiative group "Translators In Action", as well as analyzed the translation festivals visited, including the Forum of Translators in Lviv and the Translatorium held in Khmelnytskyi.
Students were interested in analyzing the shortcomings and positive aspects of the translation activities, in particular, they focused in detail on the question: "Where to start your translation career?". Significant interest was caused by the data of the research made by the NGO "Ukrainian Literary Center" and the initiative group "Translators in Action", in which the share of women in this profession is 60-80%. The main language of translation is still English (69%), then German (10%), Polish (9%), French (7%), Italian (3%), etc.
For future translators and interpreters, there is very useful information that on the website of the Ukrainian Literary Center, one can find a lot of interesting educational materials and use an online calculator, which estimates the amount of minimum royalty for different types of translation.
Students gladly fulfilled the practical task suggested by Oleksandra Hryhorenko – to analyze the poem in prose Raben Schicksal by the modern Croatian-Swiss author Dragica Rajčic, as well as possible methods and strategies of translating this text into Ukrainian.
According to the lecturers, the students-translators received a unique chance and new practical experience, important for future translation specialists.
According to Tetiana Kushnirova, Doctor of Philology, Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation at Poltava Polytechnic, experience of communicating with professionals, high level of foreign language proficiency, acquaintance with the significant achievements of professional translators and interpreters are the life hacks for building a successful career as a philologist and translator or interpreter.
"Thanks to the comprehensive support of colleagues, deep common understanding of the problems of translation studies, students of Poltava Polytechnic have the opportunity to discuss issues of modern literature, professional translation, analyze their own achievements and exchange practical cases with people who are fond of their own profession. And language centers, innovative laboratories as well as modern scientific and educational university locations contribute to the positive motivation of future translators," – the scientist commented. – "For sure, in one meeting with Ms. Oleksandra it was not possible to discuss all topical issues, to deliberate on the opportunities provided for professional and personal growth of future translators. The plans of lecturers and students of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation are to continue further cooperation and actively replenish the set of practical tools necessary for effective professional activities. Thank you very much for the interesting communication! See you next time!" – thanked Doctor of Philology, Professor Tetiana Kushnirova.
For reference – Oleksandra Hryhorenko is a well-known Ukrainian professional translator, a graduate of the Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University; by profession, she is a teacher of the German language. Since 2016 he has been living and working in Kyiv, cooperating with top Ukrainian publishing houses.
The scientific and educational space of the Faculty of Humanities of Poltava Polytechnic has repeatedly become an innovative cultural and artistic location, where you can discuss current issues of modern literature and art, translation studies as well as meet celebrities, practitioners, and true professionals at their job.
Earlier, scientists and professional translators discussed practical cases of online teaching of foreign languages; participants of the youth scientific platform deliberated on the problems of modern philological science; and the scientist-philologist shared with lyceum students practical life hacks for preparing promising research.
Media Center of
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
