Omelyan Horotsky and the early Ukrainian translations of Plato

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Abstract

This article undertakes a detailed analysis of the seminal first Ukrainian-language translations of Plato's dialogues – specifically "Gorgias" (1866) and "Protagoras" (1868) – both executed by the notable figure Omelian Horodsky. The study significantly emphasizes the profound philosophical and cultural significance of these pioneering translations within the complex, ongoing context of forming a viable Ukrainian-language reception of Platonic thought. Crucially, the research addresses the inherent problem of interpreting and accurately rendering into a nascent philosophical vernacular the key, often polysemous, concepts of ancient Greek philosophy, with particular attention dedicated to the term technē (τέχνη), which encompasses notions of art, craft, skill, and expertise.

The research meticulously focuses on Horodsky's scholarly activity as a leading representative and intellectual product of the Galician school of classical languages—a vital center of intellectual and national activity during the 19th century. It rigorously scrutinizes his specific translation strategies, highlighting his deliberate choice to prioritize a high degree of fidelity and syntactic parallelism to the original Greek source text. Furthermore, the broader socio-cultural and political context of the era is explored in depth, demonstrating how the specific conditions of national awakening and academic development critically shaped the linguistic and philosophical specifics of his unique interpretative approach.

The author robustly argues that Horodsky's historical legacy, despite the perceived "pre-modern" or archaic stylistic features from a contemporary viewpoint, constitutes a unique, indispensable stage in the complex process of adapting ancient philosophy into modern Ukrainian culture. His work, therefore, merits a thorough contemporary philosophical re-evaluation. The article ultimately presents these early Ukrainian translations of Plato not merely as linguistic exercises, but as a crucial historical and philosophical phenomenon illustrating the depth of linguistic transformation and the intellectual effort required to articulate complex philosophical concepts during the transitional and often challenging era of nation-building.