Maksym Rylsky’s Translation Discourse in the Historiographical Dimension

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive historiographical analysis of Maksym Rylsky’s translation activities, highlighting them as a significant component of his literary and cultural heritage. The purpose of this study is to identify the main stages in the scholarly reception of the poet’s translation work, to analyze methodological approaches to its research, and to outline prospects for further investigations within the framework of modern translation studies. The article considers the evolution of interpretations of Rylsky’s translations in Ukrainian and foreign literary studies, identifying key phases of reception: Soviet (ideologized-descriptive), transitional (functional-stylistic), and modern (post-structuralist, receptive, and interdisciplinary). Particular attention is given to the analysis of scholarly and critical sources from the collection Muse and Fate: Maksym Rylsky in Memories and Criticism, which represent a wide range of perspectives on Rylsky’s translation activities, ranging from cultural mediation to deep poetics. The study traces the shift in translation description methodologies—from normative to interpretive-contextual—reflecting broader transformations in the humanities. Additionally, the author highlights several under-researched areas: corpus linguostylistic analysis, intersemiotic studies, and transcultural comparative investigations. The analysis concludes that Maksym Rylsky’s translation discourse is multidimensional; it represents not only a high artistic level of translation but also a cultural program aimed at shaping Ukrainian identity within a global context.