Jeffrey Buntrock ATA Conference; Chicago German Language Division Friday, November 7, 2014 Translation and the Former East Germany This week marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. In observance, this seminar investigates the nature and role of translation in the German Democratic Republic during the period 1949 1989. – I. Introduction Events Relevant to Marxist-Leninist Translation Theory in the GDR March 1917 Tsar Nicholas II Abdicates; Russian Revolution Begins; Lenin in Zurich – April 1917 Kaiser Wilhelm II wants to get rid of pesky relatives in Russia. Germany – arranges for Lenin and other Russian exiles to travel by train from Switzerland to Russia. Germany supports the subversive Lenin, the Bolsheviks, and the revolution. 1922 Stalin becomes head of Communist Party of the Soviet Union. – 1932 Term Realism” first used in Soviet press. Supporting terms were: – “Socialist proletarian, majestic, heroic, romantic, active, creative, development, happiness. Socialist Realism is emerging as main cultural concept in the Soviet Union. 1934 Term Realism” confirmed by First All-Union Congress of Soviet – “Socialist Writers. Maxim Gorky said, new method is a creative program aiming to realize “This revolutionary humanism.” 1948/49 The Marshall Plan and introduction of a new Deutsche Mark by the Western – Allied Powers had angered the Soviet Union. Berlin Blockade by Soviets led to Berlin Airlift by United States, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. German Democratic Republic established in 1949. 1952 East Germany begins building the German border” from the Baltic Sea to – “inner the Czech border. Still free movement within four sectors of Berlin. 1961 After 3.5 million ethnic Germans had left the GDR, Berlin Wall is erected to cut – off West Berlin from East Germany. This antifaschistischer Schutzwall (“Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart”) is the true beginning of GDR’s isolation. 1986 Disaster at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine SSR. – 1989 Fall of Berlin Wall on 9th of November. –
Jeffrey Buntrock ATA Conference; Chicago German Language Division Friday, November 7, 2014 Translation and the Former East Germany This week marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. In observance, this seminar investigates the nature and role of translation in the German Democratic Republic during the period 1949 – 1989. I. Introduction Events Relevant to Marxist-Leninist Translation Theory in the GDR March 1917 – Tsar Nicholas II Abdicates; Russian Revolution Begins; Lenin in Zurich April 1917 – Kaiser Wilhelm II wants to get rid of pesky relatives in Russia. Germany arranges for Lenin and other Russian exiles to travel by train from Switzerland to Russia. Germany supports the subversive Lenin, the Bolsheviks, and the revolution. 1922 – Stalin becomes head of Communist Party of the Soviet Union. 1932 – Term “Socialist Realism” first used in Soviet press. Supporting terms were: proletarian, majestic, heroic, romantic, active, creative, development, happiness. Socialist Realism is emerging as main cultural concept in the Soviet Union. 1934 – Term “Socialist Realism” confirmed by First All-Union Congress of Soviet Writers. Maxim Gorky said, “This new method is a creative program aiming to realize revolutionary humanism.” 1948/49 – The Marshall Plan and introduction of a new Deutsche Mark by the Western Allied Powers had angered the Soviet Union. Berlin Blockade by Soviets led to Berlin Airlift by United States, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. German Democratic Republic established in 1949. 1952 – East Germany begins building the “inner German border” from the Baltic Sea to the Czech border. Still free movement within four sectors of Berlin. 1961 – After 3.5 million ethnic Germans had left the GDR, Berlin Wall is erected to cut off West Berlin from East Germany. This antifaschistischer Schutzwall (“Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart”) is the true beginning of GDR’s isolation. 1986 – Disaster at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine SSR. 1989 – Fall of Berlin Wall on 9th of November.