Representation of the concept of EUROPE in Ukrainian language of the XVI–XVII centuries
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Bohomolets-Barash Oleksandr 
Published: October 2022

Background. The topics related to Europe are attracting increasing interest due to the ongoing process of Ukraine integration in the European Union. It is generally accepted that Ukraine is a part of Europe – not only geographically, but also culturally. Since Ukraine gained its independence, Europe as a concept has received much attention. The past decade has seen a renewed importance of the concept ‘Europe’. Firstly, Euro-2012 was held in Ukraine. The next year (2013) began Euromaidan, which was followed by the Revolution of Dignity (2014). Ukrainians fought for their European choice. Started in 2014, Russian aggression grew into the full-skale invasion in Ukraine. In 2022, Ukrainians fought for Europe itself. Aims and approach. The first studies of the concept ‘Europe’ considered it a phenomenon of modern Ukrainian history and language. Therefore, researchers have mainly focused on a synchronic approach to the topic. Few scientists have addressed the issue of evolution of the concept of Europe. This paper outlines a diachronic approach to the studies of analyzed concept. Our knowledge of Europe in its relation to Ukraine is largely based on very limited linguistic data. The aim of the research was thus to define the origins of the concept of Europe and evaluate its history through the Ukrainian language history. This study examines specific proper names, used to describe Europe by the Ukrainian authors or translators in Ukrainian language during the XVI–XVII centuries. Such words include names of European countries or cities and their inhabitants. These names were found in different sources, mainly historical or religious documents. Methodology. A qualitative approach was selected in order to obtain in-depth information about Europe from the works of Ukrainian authors and translators into Ukrainian language during the XVI–XVII centuries. Our technique was based on linguistic data analysis and interpretation. Through the use of cognitive analysis we were able to build the nominative and semantic spaces of the concept ‘Europe’. Findings & results. A variety of European toponyms and demonyms in Ukrainian language of XVI–XVII centuries were found and examined. These words represent the concept of Europe and form its nominative and semantic spaces. The first mention of Europe dates back to 1591. At the same time, various names of European countries and cities were frequently used, due to constant trade relations between Ukrainian and European merchants. Another source of knowledge about Europe was foreign literature, known to those educated Ukrainian who learned different European languages and, therefore, translated such works into Ukrainian. Pilgrims to holy places, like Roma, also broadened Ukrainians’ knowledge about Europe. Taken together, these findings highlight a significant role for the concept of ‘Europe’ in Ukrainian language. Conclusion. The current study was limited by the specific time frames. Future research may target the evolution of the concept of Europe during the next periods, in particular, XVIII century).