The Distinctive Style of Ziemowit Szczerek’s Writings: How to Translate It Cover Image

Specifické znaky autorského stylu Ziemowita Szczerka a jak je překládat
The Distinctive Style of Ziemowit Szczerek’s Writings: How to Translate It

Author(s): Jan Jeništa
Subject(s): Studies of Literature, Recent History (1900 till today), Polish Literature, Philology, Translation Studies, Theory of Literature, Stylistics
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: translation analysis; authorial style; Polish contemporary prose; Ziemowit Szczerek

Summary/Abstract: Although Ziemowit Szczerek is one of the most interesting Polish writers of modern times, his books are not often translated into other languages. Given the fact that he mostly devotes himself to the subject of Central Europe, his books would certainly also find readers in the Czech Republic. The article raises the question of whether Szczerek’s very specific authorial style, which discourages potential translators, may be the cause of this state of affairs. This article tries to analyze the style and language of Szczerek’s writing on the material of his book Międzymorze (2017a). The aim of the text is, among other things, to show how careful analysis and philological training can help the translator understand the author’s specific style and thus help with the prospective translation. The article analyses specific means of expression, such as very creatively understood neologisms and expressive vocabulary. Particular attention is paid to specific sentence constructions and the possibilities of their translation into Czech. Also typical of Szczerek’s texts are foreign-language elements, reflecting the atmosphere of a place or characterizing the speaker whom the narrator meets on a journey through Central Europe. All these means of expression are a great challenge for any translator.

  • Issue Year: 30/2022
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 1-21
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Czech