Joanna Derdowska1; 1 University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
Discussion
This paper examines the work of a translingual poet Iryna Zahladko, who has been writing poetry in Czech—a language she learned as an adult after moving to Prague from Ukraine. Zahladko’s unique position within the Czech literary context opens a space for addressing themes central to global migration literature, including the subversive potential of exophonic writing and the negotiation of linguistic norms in “literature with an accent.” By situating her work within the Czech literary field, the paper explores how her poetic practice potentially challenges conventional notions of language, identity, and belonging, contributing to broader discussions on the dynamics of exophonic literature. The analysis employs Jerome Meizoz’s concept of literary posture, highlighting how Zahladko constructs her authorial identity herself (both textually and contextually) and how this identity is co-created through public reception.
