Category
Topic
Year
The multipositionality of Marta Sillaots in the first decades of the 20th century
Keywords: translation history, translator studies, multipositionality, gender
The perspective of multipositionality as a means of taking a holistic approach to a person’s multiple lives, i.e. to their different professional fields of activity, has been used to a great effect in translation (including translator) studies. This article explores the feasibility of adapting this concept to the Estonian literary context by looking at the case of Marta Sillaots (1887–1969), known to the wider public mostly as a translator and critic. Less known is her work as a teacher, journalist, and an author of not just children’s stories, but of adult prose, too.
It…
The perspective of multipositionality as a means of taking a holistic approach to a person’s multiple lives, i.e. to their different professional fields of activity, has been used to a great effect in translation (including translator) studies. This article explores the feasibility of adapting this concept to the Estonian literary context by looking at the case of Marta Sillaots (1887–1969), known to the wider public mostly as a translator and critic. Less known is her work as a teacher, journalist, and an author of not just children’s stories, but of adult prose, too.
It…
Decadent writing as feminist practice
Keyword: New Woman, literary decadence, melancholy, creativity, desire
This article analyzes Alma Ostra’s (1886–1960) literary debut, the novella “Aino” (1923), which carries an air of decadence combined with naturalistic elements. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the fin de siècle period, decadent aesthetics was a province mostly occupied by men. Several gender-sensitive cultural researchers have shown that the attitudes (such as elitism, individualism, colonialism) and imagery contained in these texts are misogynistic by nature. Building on this, feminist scholars have asked how the forms of decadent aesthetics employed by male authors of the time are reshaped in the…
This article analyzes Alma Ostra’s (1886–1960) literary debut, the novella “Aino” (1923), which carries an air of decadence combined with naturalistic elements. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the fin de siècle period, decadent aesthetics was a province mostly occupied by men. Several gender-sensitive cultural researchers have shown that the attitudes (such as elitism, individualism, colonialism) and imagery contained in these texts are misogynistic by nature. Building on this, feminist scholars have asked how the forms of decadent aesthetics employed by male authors of the time are reshaped in the…
A woman writing about birds
Keywords: nature writing, woman writer, Alma Toom, ecofeminism, ornithology
This article discusses the first book of Estonian nature writing authored by a woman: “Vilsandi Bird Kingdom” (Vilsandi linnuriik) by Alma Toom, published in Tartu by the publishing house Loodus in 1932.
Alma Toom, also spelled Thom (1903–1944 or 1945), was a schoolteacher on the small island of Vilsandi and the spouse of the overseer of the Vilsandi bird protection area, Artur Toom. Her sole published book, “Vilsandi Bird Kingdom”, was based on her husband’s oral stories narrated to the visitors of the bird islands and her own personal observations of nesting…
This article discusses the first book of Estonian nature writing authored by a woman: “Vilsandi Bird Kingdom” (Vilsandi linnuriik) by Alma Toom, published in Tartu by the publishing house Loodus in 1932.
Alma Toom, also spelled Thom (1903–1944 or 1945), was a schoolteacher on the small island of Vilsandi and the spouse of the overseer of the Vilsandi bird protection area, Artur Toom. Her sole published book, “Vilsandi Bird Kingdom”, was based on her husband’s oral stories narrated to the visitors of the bird islands and her own personal observations of nesting…
Life like algebra
Keywords: women’s writing, women writers, biographies, public figures
Alide Ertel (1877–1955) was an Estonian woman writer active in the early 20th century. The most significant factors influencing her creative path were being born into a wealthy South Estonian family of farmers, her good education, and traveling not only within the Tsarist Empire but also in Western Europe. The active participation of Ertel’s family in the public life also played an important part. Ertel herself was involved in politics, taking part in the 1905 revolution as well as the events of 1917, which can be considered important factors shaping Ertel’s life, work,…
Alide Ertel (1877–1955) was an Estonian woman writer active in the early 20th century. The most significant factors influencing her creative path were being born into a wealthy South Estonian family of farmers, her good education, and traveling not only within the Tsarist Empire but also in Western Europe. The active participation of Ertel’s family in the public life also played an important part. Ertel herself was involved in politics, taking part in the 1905 revolution as well as the events of 1917, which can be considered important factors shaping Ertel’s life, work,…
“How beautifully God has created me that I’m allowed to be an Estonian.”
Keywords: children’s literature, literary history, women writers, national ideology
The period of Estonian independence between 1918 and 1940 was also a prolific time for Estonian children’s literature: various genres evolved and books were being published vigorously. However, works from that period have received relatively little attention from researchers. This article focuses on realistic children’s fiction written by women in the second half of the 1930s, known as the authoritarian Era of Silence. Characteristically of the era, there were public debates on whether children’s literature should depict reality in an idealized way or handle problematic aspects as well.
In this article, I have…
The period of Estonian independence between 1918 and 1940 was also a prolific time for Estonian children’s literature: various genres evolved and books were being published vigorously. However, works from that period have received relatively little attention from researchers. This article focuses on realistic children’s fiction written by women in the second half of the 1930s, known as the authoritarian Era of Silence. Characteristically of the era, there were public debates on whether children’s literature should depict reality in an idealized way or handle problematic aspects as well.
In this article, I have…
The modern lady in women’s writing of the 1910s
Keywords: Marta Sillaots, Alide Ertel, society, New Woman, women’s rights, decadence
This article examines the portrayal of socially active modern urban women in Marta Sillaots’s novellas “Juta” (1912) and “Anna Holm” (1913), as well as in Alide Ertel’s short story collection “The Modern Lady” (Moodne daam, 1919/1920). The characters are analyzed within the framework of the “New Woman”, as surveys sort both Sillaots’s and Ertel’s early works under the theme of women’s emancipation, without acknowledging that they depict emancipated women in a negative light. Such women are characterized by a pursuit of independence, cultural interests, and creativity; mostly, they appear sympathetic…
This article examines the portrayal of socially active modern urban women in Marta Sillaots’s novellas “Juta” (1912) and “Anna Holm” (1913), as well as in Alide Ertel’s short story collection “The Modern Lady” (Moodne daam, 1919/1920). The characters are analyzed within the framework of the “New Woman”, as surveys sort both Sillaots’s and Ertel’s early works under the theme of women’s emancipation, without acknowledging that they depict emancipated women in a negative light. Such women are characterized by a pursuit of independence, cultural interests, and creativity; mostly, they appear sympathetic…
Women prose writers in cultural history and contemporary Estonian cultural consciousness
Keywords: Estonian literature, literary canon, women writers, prose
This article explores a number of factors that have shaped the understanding of the role of women prose writers in Estonian literary history and in contemporary cultural consciousness. Little attention has been paid to the works of women prose writers in literary history, and the cultural consciousness contains myths and stereotypes about women authors which upon closer examination prove unfounded. According to the common perception, women’s strong suit is poetry, whereas in the realm of prose, the creative output of male authors is afforded greater importance. This perspective has sometimes been used to…
This article explores a number of factors that have shaped the understanding of the role of women prose writers in Estonian literary history and in contemporary cultural consciousness. Little attention has been paid to the works of women prose writers in literary history, and the cultural consciousness contains myths and stereotypes about women authors which upon closer examination prove unfounded. According to the common perception, women’s strong suit is poetry, whereas in the realm of prose, the creative output of male authors is afforded greater importance. This perspective has sometimes been used to…
”Excuse me for bothering you with my Siberian language”
Keywords: context, folklore collector, folklore collection, games, Siberian Estonians
This article looks at the descriptions of games written down by Rosalie Ottesson, who lived in the Siberian Estonian community in Russia, mainly in the village of Ülem-Bulanka. The descriptions were sent to the Folklore Department (currently Estonian Folklore Archives) of the Literary Museum in the 1960s and 1970s.
We will approach Ottesson’s descriptions of games and game situations through the concept of vernacular literacy. As a folklore collector, Rosalie Ottesson played a dual role in the village society – on the one hand, she had a traditional background similar to that…
This article looks at the descriptions of games written down by Rosalie Ottesson, who lived in the Siberian Estonian community in Russia, mainly in the village of Ülem-Bulanka. The descriptions were sent to the Folklore Department (currently Estonian Folklore Archives) of the Literary Museum in the 1960s and 1970s.
We will approach Ottesson’s descriptions of games and game situations through the concept of vernacular literacy. As a folklore collector, Rosalie Ottesson played a dual role in the village society – on the one hand, she had a traditional background similar to that…
Hidden undercurrents of “The Atlantic Ocean”
Keywords: Estonian literature, theatre, songs, Juhan Smuul
The play “The Atlantic Ocean” (Atlandi ookean) by the renowned Soviet-era Estonian writer Juhan Smuul has received very little critical attention so far. By closely looking at the work, we can find nuances and undercurrents that help us understand the motives and reasoning behind the characters’ – but in some cases also their author’s – deeds, choices, and attitudes. This article focuses on the songs referred to in the play. The shortish four-act play that is set onboard a Soviet Estonian herring trawler in the summer of 1955 contains references to 22 songs in…
The play “The Atlantic Ocean” (Atlandi ookean) by the renowned Soviet-era Estonian writer Juhan Smuul has received very little critical attention so far. By closely looking at the work, we can find nuances and undercurrents that help us understand the motives and reasoning behind the characters’ – but in some cases also their author’s – deeds, choices, and attitudes. This article focuses on the songs referred to in the play. The shortish four-act play that is set onboard a Soviet Estonian herring trawler in the summer of 1955 contains references to 22 songs in…
Figurative thought during the ”Language crisis of Estonian” in 2020–2022
Keywords: figurative speech, conceptual metaphors, figurative framing, discourse analysis
The paper analyses the patterns of figurative language and thought addressing the abstract domain of “language”, which emerged in the discourse about the language norms and standardisation in Estonian public media in 2020–2022. The situation was perceived as critical by the language practitioners (editors, proof-readers, translators, teachers, etc) because of confusion and ambiguity in respect of when and in what form would the new edition of ÕS (the traditional prescriptive dictionary of Standard Estonian), appear. The ambiguous feelings were accompanied by the sense of threat to fundamental values, and the sense of…
The paper analyses the patterns of figurative language and thought addressing the abstract domain of “language”, which emerged in the discourse about the language norms and standardisation in Estonian public media in 2020–2022. The situation was perceived as critical by the language practitioners (editors, proof-readers, translators, teachers, etc) because of confusion and ambiguity in respect of when and in what form would the new edition of ÕS (the traditional prescriptive dictionary of Standard Estonian), appear. The ambiguous feelings were accompanied by the sense of threat to fundamental values, and the sense of…
(raie)lank ‘cutting area’ as a reflection of time and history
Keywords: Estonian language, history of vocabulary, etymology
The article discusses the etymology of the Estonian word (raie)lank ‘a piece of forest land meant for cutting’. The first documented use of this word dates back to 1898. The word has no etymological counterparts in other Balto-Finnic languages. In etymological literature, the Estonian lank has been linked to the verb langema ‘to fall’, assuming the formation of a new basic root – lank – through the sound change g > k in the root. This explanation is unconvincing. The assumption is not supported by any derivative relationships in the relevant vocabulary in the neighbouring…
The article discusses the etymology of the Estonian word (raie)lank ‘a piece of forest land meant for cutting’. The first documented use of this word dates back to 1898. The word has no etymological counterparts in other Balto-Finnic languages. In etymological literature, the Estonian lank has been linked to the verb langema ‘to fall’, assuming the formation of a new basic root – lank – through the sound change g > k in the root. This explanation is unconvincing. The assumption is not supported by any derivative relationships in the relevant vocabulary in the neighbouring…
Remarks on the age of farm names on the example of Audru
Keywords: Estonian language, farm names, etymologies
The article looks at Estonian farm names, using examples from Audru Parish. Farm names are considered younger than village names, although historians believe that the farm is older than the village as a settlement unit. It has been suggested that farm names developed in the 9th century. This article shows that many farm names were already documented in the 16th century. In the past, villages were subject to taxation, but from the 16th century onwards, farm families (Gesinde) became the tax unit. Indeed, it was in the 16th century that the names of peasants…
The article looks at Estonian farm names, using examples from Audru Parish. Farm names are considered younger than village names, although historians believe that the farm is older than the village as a settlement unit. It has been suggested that farm names developed in the 9th century. This article shows that many farm names were already documented in the 16th century. In the past, villages were subject to taxation, but from the 16th century onwards, farm families (Gesinde) became the tax unit. Indeed, it was in the 16th century that the names of peasants…
The other singers
Keywords: runo song, folk singer, representation, intersubjectivity
This article discusses the terminology and representations concerning the older Estonian oral song tradition specialists in Estonian folkloristic literature from the late 19th century to the second half of the 20th century. The folk singers’ relationships with their family, community, and folklorists from the perspective of diachronic and synchronic intersubjectivity is also considered.
At the heart of the documentation and study of runo songs (regilaulud) are folk singers who actively embody the song culture. They are specialists who, in addition to having knowledge of the lyrics, tunes and performing practices, also have a need…
This article discusses the terminology and representations concerning the older Estonian oral song tradition specialists in Estonian folkloristic literature from the late 19th century to the second half of the 20th century. The folk singers’ relationships with their family, community, and folklorists from the perspective of diachronic and synchronic intersubjectivity is also considered.
At the heart of the documentation and study of runo songs (regilaulud) are folk singers who actively embody the song culture. They are specialists who, in addition to having knowledge of the lyrics, tunes and performing practices, also have a need…
Barriers to the acceptance of Estonian Russian-language literature in 1918–1940
Keywords: Igor Severyanin, Russian-language literature in Estonia, identity, Estonian literature, Estonian literary history, integration
The article looks at the history of Estonian Russian-language literature in the young Republic of Estonia (1918–1940) and the life and work of the Russian-speaking poet Igor Severyanin (1887–1941) from the perspective of Estonian literature. In 1918, Severyanin, as a mature author, moved permanently from Russia to Estonia. Gradually, he developed a hybrid identity: he became fond of Estonia and wrote in Russian. However, his works have been omitted from the Estonian literary history.
The article sets out the following hypotheses:
1) Estonian Russian-language literature from 1918…
The article looks at the history of Estonian Russian-language literature in the young Republic of Estonia (1918–1940) and the life and work of the Russian-speaking poet Igor Severyanin (1887–1941) from the perspective of Estonian literature. In 1918, Severyanin, as a mature author, moved permanently from Russia to Estonia. Gradually, he developed a hybrid identity: he became fond of Estonia and wrote in Russian. However, his works have been omitted from the Estonian literary history.
The article sets out the following hypotheses:
1) Estonian Russian-language literature from 1918…