TRANSLATING NOTIONS AND CATEGORIES
In February 1998, when the first issue of the English weekly digest appeared, we already had bilingual experience, as Den ’ had begun publishing in both Russian and Ukrainian at the beginning of the previous year. We had taken the step for good reason; we could not have possibly ignored the Russian- speaking audience, the more so that we wanted Den’ to be read abroad as well, by ethnic Ukrainian communities all over the world. Also, we had considered the idea of an Internet edition to make the newspaper accessible to a far greater number of readers. We simultaneously felt that we should not stop expanding. We wanted to prove that Ukrainian means intelligent in English as well. Otherwise we thought it would be difficult to discuss Ukraine’s image abroad. We not only talked about it but also tried to do something. I must say that we had to do it under the most unfavorable conditions, without any official support, let alone promotion; when it came time for pitched opposition we often met clear resistance. Advertising ourselves was extremely difficult, but we felt sure that the kind of Ukrainian journalism we adhered to showed quality and remained transparent. It had to be understandable to the European reader and the rest of the English-speaking world. Creating the English digest, we reaffirmed that we have this, that we think using the same categories as the rest of the civilized world.
And we were so happy to receive letters not only from the Ukrainian diaspora, but also from English- speaking readers, including people who had never heard about Ukraine. They wrote from different countries about how they had spotted our web site and discovered for themselves the wonders of Ukrainian culture. They were interested to know what we were doing and they told us what they wanted to read about. Then we received words of appreciation, in terms we would have never allowed ourselves according to our standards of self-criticism. People compared us to the world’s leading periodicals in terms of quality.
We had to take the next step. Owing to our English weekly digest, a great many people have changed their mind about the Ukrainians as a nation. They discovered a Ukraine striving to reach high standards, a spiritual country with many interesting people. All this is thanks to the digest’s excellent team of journalists, translators, and consultants making the English digest people with an enviable command of the language. I am grateful to Liudmyla Humeniuk who was with the project from the outset. In fact, working on the concept, we knew in advance who we would try to have to implement the project with. I also think that she proved a perfect choice as a team leader. Apart from being a topnotch professional (as evidenced by her recent stay in Britain for on-the-job training which she completed with honors), she has a powerful growth potential. The team is currently led by another excellent professional, Marina Zamyatina, and everyone shows true dedication.
We have on more than one occasion played host to foreign journalists visiting Ukraine for on-the-job training. Remarkably, British and German students, raised on the tradition of a democratic press, automatically accepted us as belonging with that number. While they studied we became convinced that there was no iron nor glass curtain between them and our journalists.
Translating from the Ukrainian into English is not our problem. The problem is to translate our living standard into a European one. If we can do so people will understand us far better even if we do not show a good command of a foreign language. I think that, parallel to this institution of English translation, we are setting up another institution, one of translating notions and categories, so we can be understood across the world.
Our English digest is evolving, reflecting another very positive aspect of The Day’s journalism. We set ourselves not only the ambitious goal of winning the exacting Ukrainian intelligentsia; we also set the even more difficult goal of self-improvement. No one says we have to, but we ourselves want to convey our understanding to all those others often enslaved by fears about our country; we want them to have a better idea about Ukraine and Ukrainians. I think that our humble missionary work will be appreciated by our readers. Actually, the reader’s understanding is what we are primarily after. When I said that we would evolve, I meant that we would try to communicate with our English- speaking readers on an even broader scope, considering that Den’ is quite active in the feedback department. I have mentioned on various occasions that we have plans for a German and French digests. These plans are still being discussed and we would like to see interested partners.
I wish to thank all of the journalists helping The Day’s weekly appearance in English for an adequate understanding of the concept and its implementation.
Read more about The Day’s anniversary on page WE ARE FOUR
