Śmiech i granice języka. Humorystyczne wiersze Stanisława Barańczaka i Wisławy Szymborskiej
Laughter and the limits of language. Humorous poems by Stanislauw Barańczak and Wislawa Szymborska

Summary/Abstract: The appearance of a humorous current, where the principle of a pure-nonsense dominated, was a significant phenomenon in Polish poetry after the year 1989. It was initiated by Stanisław Barańczak and continued by Wisława Szymborska. The question arises: what caused the humorous creation to occupy a significant place in the newest poetry? What is more, under the pen of the most prominent creators. Obviously, one of the motivations for this type of creative activities is very simple – it is a game, and games have accompanied the poetic life from the beginning of time. The issue is, paradoxically, much more serious. Now, the games of Barańczak and Szymborska result directly from their poetics, especially from their sensitivity to the language, its power and weakness. Both poets in their serious, but also unserious poetry examine the language boundaries: how far does the language reach in its ability to name? The unserious poetry of Barańczak and Szymborska constitutes an integral part and continuation of their creative activity. One can find there all the elements present in their serious poetry. In that sense, it is a manifestation of the modernistic (the twentieth-century) sensitivity to language.

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