Between languages, cultures, and religions: some comments on translating Thomas Merton’s journals into Polish

Abstract

The fact that translating classics is both difficult and inevitable is exemplified in the copious translations of Thomas Merton’s works worldwide. In the Polish context, the challenge of translating Merton is additionally amplified by the existence of translations produced by prominent writers and scholars (e.g. Miłosz, Tabakowska). In the article, the translator of A year with Th omas Merton. Daily meditations from His Journals provides an overview of peculiar diffi culties encountered while working on the Polish version. In particular, he focuses on the influence of the earlier Polish translations of parts of the Journals as well as Merton’s distinctive style (often manifested in excessive repetitiveness and lexical simplicity paired with the richness of thought). However, most translational challenges seem to have arisen in relation to Merton’s command and abundant use of multiple languages, his fascination by various cultures, and rootedness in the Christian – particularly Roman Catholic – heritage and the monastic tradition. The discussion of the actual translational challenges is accompanied by personal comments of the translator.