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The book OURS ARE NOT LIKE OURS (NEJSOU NAŠI JAKO NAŠI)

The subject of the book is comparison of Czechs and Ukrainians on the basis of daily life topics. Their similarities and differences are contemplated in an essay form. Please contribute to my project, and thus to mutual understanding between our nations.

Author: Ilona Podolyan

EUR 159
pledged of EUR 1,981

8%

8% completed

7 contributors pledged

Literature

Česko

All or nothing. Project finished on Nov 29, 2018 at 18:22.

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How it all started

In the beginning was amazement. My amazement at how understandable the Czech language was for me and how familiar the Czech culture appeared to be. The feeling accompanied my first steps of integrating into the new country 11 years ago. Later, that quite unexpected discovery gave rise to curiosity of a linguist who has been occupying herself with comparison of languages and cultures for her whole life. “How is it possible for an ordinary Ukrainian person to pick up the Czech language and master it at a decent communicative level within a couple of months, often without regular academic training?” – “How do my countrymen adapt to the society one does not know much about in Ukraine and do it a lightning speed?” I have been contemplating answers to the above questions all this time. Here are some of my conclusions that I have decided to make public.  

What is my aim?

In my book, I compare the Czechs and the Ukrainians, searching for causes of our cultural and mental similarity. Our differences are not overlooked either. Alongside this, I do my best to reply to typical questions about Ukraine and Ukrainians which are frequently put to me by my Czech friends and colleagues.         

Details

I am telling about the Czechs and Ukrainians and pondering over them within a collection of essays, each of which is written on one of the essential daily life topics, such as family and intergenerational ties, working routines, leisure activities, eating habits, popular beliefs about lawfulness and politeness, a sense of beauty and a sense of humour, etc.

Roots of our cultural closeness are traced down in our common historical periods and also in kinship of the Czech and Ukrainian languages. Particularly, I base my argumentation upon words that are similar in meaning and form between our languages. It is these very words which reveal cross-cultural parallels in the ways of thinking and living of both the Czechs and Ukrainians.

I try not to overload the text with my linguistic knowledge, using it in a very limited manner, in order to support my observations, stories, and viewpoints engendered by my life in the Czech Republic.     

... and a little bit more

In this book, the Czech society is presented through the eyes of a woman belonging to its second biggest ethnic minority. If published, this collection of essays could certainly contribute to our mutual understanding, as well as to breaking well-established stereotypes.  

Who am I?

My lifelong professional pursuit is linguistics – both in the fields of teaching and research. I worked as a university lecturer in Kiev, Ukraine. Since 2008, I have been continuing my career in Prague, Czech Republic, where I am teaching English and Russian at one of state universities. My other line of work is sworn interpreting/translating. See my website: www.podolyan.cz    

Why am I doing this?

Since this book is my literary debut, I will hardly be able to bring it out without outside support. The publishing house which has taken interest in my work needs its success to be financially secured.

The expected costs will mainly cover proof-reading, illustrations, print, advertising, and distribution.  

Your every donation would be an invaluable gift for us.

I believe that you will not be disappointed by this book.

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Choose reward for your contribution

  • sold 2
    A donation to friendship

    Contribute to improving relations and mutual understanding between Czechs and Ukrainians. Become an envoy of peace and join stereotype busters.
    I will be glad to email you in response to any of your questions concerning Ukraine and  Ukrainians.
     

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 9.91
    (CZK 250)

  • sold 3
    A book as a gift

    I will be glad to post or personally deliver you a copy of the book with my signature and inscription. Postage will be covered by me.
     

     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.81
    (CZK 500)

  • sold 2
    A book and a virtual talk with the author

    I will be glad to post or personally deliver you a copy of the book with my signature and inscription. Postage will be covered by me.
    We will make an appointment for an hour/ two hours’ Skype talk, during which you can ask me about anything concerning Ukraine and  Ukrainians.
     
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 39.63
    (CZK 1,000)

  • sold 0
    A book and a real-life talk with the author

    I will be glad to post or personally deliver you a copy of the book with my signature and inscription. Postage will be covered by me.
    We will make an appointment for an hour/ two hours’ talk in one of Prague cafés, during which you can ask me about anything concerning Ukraine and Ukrainians. If you don’t live in Prague, I will send you a box of chocolates produced in Prague in addition to the book.
     
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 79.26
    (CZK 2,000)

  • sold 0
    2 books and a real-life talk with the author

    I will be glad to post or personally deliver you and your friend two copies of the book with my signature and inscription. Postage will be covered by me.
    I will make an appointment with both of you for an hour/ two hours’ talk in one of Prague cafés, during which you can ask me about anything concerning Ukraine and Ukrainians. If you don’t live in Prague, I will send you two boxes of chocolates produced in Prague in addition to the books.
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 148.60
    (CZK 3,750)

  • sold 0
    Sponsor of the book

    Your name or the name and logo of your company will be mentioned on the inner side of the title page among sponsors of the book. I will be glad to post or personally deliver you a copy of the book with my signature and inscription.
    We will make an appointment for an hour/ two hours’ talk in one of Prague cafés, during which you can ask me about anything concerning Ukraine and Ukrainians. If you don’t live in Prague, I will send you a box of chocolates produced in Prague in addition to the book.
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 198.14
    (CZK 5,000)

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