Constantin Negruzzi’s Translations of Victor Hugo’s Romantic Dramas and the Modernization of Romanian language Cover Image

Constantin Negruzzi, le traduzioni dei drammi romantici di Victor Hugo e la modernizzazione della lingua romena letteraria
Constantin Negruzzi’s Translations of Victor Hugo’s Romantic Dramas and the Modernization of Romanian language

Author(s): Federico Donatiello
Subject(s): History
Published by: Academia Română – Centrul de Studii Transilvane
Keywords: Romanian translations; Romance Westernization; Constantin Negruzzi; drame romantique; Romance lexical borrowing;

Summary/Abstract: The period 1830-1860 was one of the most relevant in the process of modernization of the Romanian society. In this context, the westernization of Romanian language was a major preoccupation of writers: writers like Ion Heliade Rãdulescu and Constantin Negruzzi wanted to modernize Romanian language and they considered the translation of Western literature as an important instrument in spreading romance lexical borrowing. Constantin Negruzzi was one of the most active writers who were involved in the creation of a national Romanian theatre. He translated many works of Romantic european literature, especially the dramas Marie Tudor and Angelo, le tyranne de Padoue by Victor Hugo. Considering linguistic and lexical aspects, the two translations are really advanced: the language is very close to the modern Romanian and it combines traditional lexic, romance neologisms and the imitation of spoken language. This study wants to describe the principal strategies of lexical borrowing adopted by Constantin Negruzzi and to analyse the contribution of translation sto increasing Romanian vocabulary.

  • Issue Year: XXV/2016
  • Issue No: Suppl 2
  • Page Range: 41-56
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Italian