LANGUAGE POLICY AND TRANSLATION TRENDS IN THE 19TH CENTURY ARMENIAN PERIODICALS

Abstract

In the article, we discussed the language policy of the Armenian-language periodicals of the 19th century, which was characterized by the influence of translation trends and principles formed in different language environments and reflected in literary translations. Some positive cultural and educational changes were ensured in the Armenian communities previously suffering in harsh geopolitical situations. Thanks to those changes a number of Armenian schools and printing houses were opened, and periodical press contributed to the development of translated secular literature, especially for children and young readers. Along with creating original literature, Armenians having long history of translations, turned to the translation of valuable pieces of world literature. The study of literature provided an opportunity to validate the course of the literary-historical development of the Armenian language in the context of the 19^th century.

             The period was marked first by the transition from Classical Armenian to Modern Armenian, then the development of the Eastern and Western Armenian branches, which was directly reflected in the language of the translated literature. These processes took place in the absence of a unified independent state, and the language policy had different interpretations by the editors, writers and translators of periodicals.

             In this study, the literary and historical method was used, with the help of which the historical-political and social-pedagogical factors described in various articles and studies were considered.

             We came to the conclusion that the development of periodical printing and translation literature determined the development of the Armenian language in the 19th century.