Comparative Analysis of Stylistic Devices of Vazha-Pshavela’s “Cosmopolitanism and Patriotism” and its English translation

Abstract

Vazha-Pshavela’s publicist essay “Cosmopolitanism and Patriotism” presents a profound reflection on the dynamic relationship between national loyalty and cosmopolitanism—the ideology of world citizenship. The text, written at the beginning of the 20th century, reflects the author’s attitude toward patriotism, while at the same time does not deny love for other countries. This publicist essay combines emotional intensity with philosophical reflection, offering the reader a call to respect cultural differences and to share global values.

The use of stylistic devices is characteristic of writers, as they help to convey emotion, attitude, and thought. In this respect, Vazha-Pshavela is no exception. In his publicist essay, Vazha-Pshavela employs various stylistic devices to explore the emotional and philosophical depth of the text. Metaphor, antithesis, epithet, rhetorical question, and other devices not only contribute to the creation of a unique work, but also precisely express the author’s attitude and ideas. His work is so profound and engaging that it has been translated multiple times.

Translating “Cosmopolitanism and Patriotism” into English requires not only language proficiency and content analysis, but also particular attention to stylistic features. The article examines how stylistic devices are preserved, altered, or omitted in the English version and their effect. Special focus is placed on how the language and its characteristic expressive means can modify the structure and meaning of the original. Attention is focused on how the language and its characteristic expressive means can alter the structure and content of the original.