Culture as a distinctive feature of an ethnic group (based on the example of translated handwritten literature of Polish-Lithuanian Tatar)

Abstract

The article is focused on Tatar ethnic group. It tries to show on its example, how one can be open on other cultures without losing one's identity and how to persevere in a different cultural environment. It refers to Tatars' religious writings as the source helpful in maintaining cultural identity. An example of connection between Tatar translations and European tradition of translation, is used to characterize both permeation of cultures and features which served to build cultural separateness of Tatars living in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.