Letter from Jan Patočka written 16.02.1948

Author Jan Patočka

Category incoming correspondence

Archive Archive of Science PAN and PAU

Date of creation 16.02.1948

Related places Prague

Reference code in archive K_III-26_D_28

Resource type letter

Subject matter organizational issues, publication issues, translations

Field literature, philosophy

Tags #academic publications, #Antonin Mágr, #Brno, #communism, #Czech translations, #Das literarische Kunstwerk, #formal analysis of a work, #Frank Wolman, #guest lectures, #Ingarden's works, #invitation, #Jan Mukařovski, #Jan Patočka, #lectures, #Mukařovský's set, #Orbis, #Pavel Trost, #political orientation, #Prague, #Sketches on the Philosophy of Literature, #slavic literature, #Slavic studies, #The Cognition of the Literary Work of Art, #translation of Ingarden's works, #translations, #translators, #university work

Hostálkova 103
Prague 18

n Dear Professor,

n To start with, please forgive me for taking so long to reply. I was waiting for the end of the semester and then started to hesitate. Since I have to travel from Prague to Brno every week, it stops me from arranging and discussing things properly during the semester. Things seem to be taking shape more now though.
n I would not be able to translate your books myself; I regret to have to say that my command of Polish is not good enough. I would be delighted to assist with translations under preparation though. I do not know whether I have already mentioned it to you in a letter, but one of your great admirers, Professor Frank Wolman, lectures at the Faculty of Arts in Brno. He has based his interpretations on comparative Slavic literature on Das literarische Kunstwerk [The Literary Work of Art] and O poznawaniu dzieła literackiego [The Cognition of the Literary Work of Art]. There are also other people interested from [Jan] Mukařovský’s set, in particular Dr Pavel [illegible], with whom Dr. [Antonín Stanislav] Mágr from the Orbis publishing house is currently negotiating a translation. So two projects are taking shape: one of which is more from a literary perspective, with Professor Wolman expressing the most interest – a translation of your work in Polish O poznawaniu dzieła literackiego [The Cognition of the Literary Work of Art], perhaps with some articles from Szkice z filozofii literatury [Sketches on the Philosophy of Literature]. I should point out that Wolman is a Communist and focuses solely on aspects relating to formal analysis of a work, based on your interpretations, not your general philosophy. The second project, more from a generally aesthetic perspective, would be the Orbis project. Professor Wolman would probably come up with a translator himself – his son, who is doing a doctorate in philosophy. In any case I would reserve the right to revise the end product, subject to your consent.
n I have also discussed with Professor Wolman about how wonderful it would be if we could invite you to come to Brno to give some lectures. I have not yet been appointed to a chair though and our whole faculty (the Faculty of Arts) is not yet fully constituted, but as soon as it is, and that cannot take too much longer, I will endeavour to ensure that both faculties invite you as a guest lecturer.
n I am going to end this letter now. Once again please forgive me for taking so long to send you this letter.

n n n n With my deepest respects,

n n n Jan Patočka

16 February 1948