Svetlana Geier

Svetlana Geier (1923-2010) was a German-Russian philosopher, translator, and interpreter. She is renowned for her German translations of the complete works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, which are widely considered to be definitive and groundbreaking. Geier was born in Kiev, Ukraine, to German parents. During World War II, she served as an interpreter for the German army, an experience which profoundly shaped her life and understanding of the Russian language and culture.

Following the war, she dedicated herself to the study of philosophy and translation. Her Dostoevsky translations, undertaken over a period of several decades, were noted for their meticulous attention to detail, linguistic precision, and profound philosophical understanding. She aimed to capture the nuances of Dostoevsky's original Russian text, including his stylistic quirks and psychological insights, in a way that previous translations had not achieved.

Beyond Dostoevsky, Geier also translated works by Mikhail Bulgakov and Alexander Herzen. She taught translation theory and practice at various universities in Germany and was a highly respected figure in the field of literary translation. Her work has had a significant impact on the reception and understanding of Russian literature in the German-speaking world.