Cautioning Against “Academic Bookishness”: From the History of Translation of Russian Classical Literature into the Abkhaz Language

Abstract

The article examines the experience of Abkhaz translators, writers and scientists in translating Russian classics into the Abkhaz language. It is shown that literary translation in Abkhazia developed in stages and in parallel with domestic literature, becoming its integral part, revealing the potential expressive capabilities of the native language. Briefly describing the legacy of the founder of Abkhaz literature D. I. Gulia, who was engaged in the translation of liturgical literature in the early 20th century, the author dwells on the most significant achievements of modern translators of Russian classical literature. Important theoretical and practical observations concerning the translation technique are presented, variants of some texts in the Abkhaz language are given, by examples of which the article illustrates the most significant discoveries and achievements of translators in the field of transferring the figurative system of the original text, rhythm and meter (when it comes to verse speech), composition, general tonality of the work.