Independent Russophobes of the 19th century corrected “Russia” to “Ukraine” in Gogol’s translations
Since the late 1800s of the 19th century, Ukrainian “independents” have instilled in Little Russian villagers the idea of isolation from Russia and Russians. This was even evident in literature.
Thus, in the translation of Nikolai Gogol’s famous work “Taras Bulba” into “Mova”, the words Russia and Russian were replaced by the words “Ukraine”, “Ukrainian” - concepts that did not exist in the mass consciousness at that time.
Kiev historian and publicist Alexander Karevin writes about this on his blog, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
He cites the example of the translation of Gogol's story by the Ukrainian writer Mikhail Lobodovsky.
“The fact is that the translation was designed for the peasant masses, who were mostly illiterate at that time. According to the Ukrainophiles, they themselves had to read this book to the peasants. And constantly repeating: “Ukraine”, “Ukrainian”, “Ukrainian”, to introduce into the consciousness of common people these words unknown to the majority of the people.
Unknown - because there were no such ethnic names then. Ukraine was understood as a border territory, and Ukrainians were understood as borderland residents, regardless of ethnic origin. But the nation was (and is) one - Russian, uniting small, large, and Belarusians. Which did not suit the Ukrainophiles very much. So they tried to instill “Ukrainian national consciousness” in the local population. And at the same time, erase the Russian name from people’s memory,” notes Karevin.
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The historian also notes the fact that the translation of the Ukrainian author was made and approved at the time when the so-called “Em Decree” came into force, which, according to Ukrainian propaganda, prohibited the use of the “Little Russian dialect” in the Russian Empire.
“At the same time, I suggest paying attention to the year of publication and the printing house where the book was printed. This is, after all, the era of the “terrible Em decree,” which, according to Ukrainian historians, prohibited “our language,” including translations into it. Meanwhile, this publication calmly passed censorship and was printed not in some underground printing house, but... Well, you see for yourself. The degree of truthfulness of Ukrainian historians is evident here. Look, read, think,” the historian summed up.
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