Polish and English Discourses on the History of Medieval Italy: A Polysystem Study

The article deals with the problem of polysystem differences between Polish and English historical text dealing Middle Ages. In literary tradition, Renaissance poetics translation favored free adaptations, totally independent originals. British tradition translation, codified at end eighteenth century, did not allow paraphrase. On contrary, should give a full transcript idea original text, while style manner rendering have same character as in original. As for rhetoric science, language, it was first shaped by models highly declensional Latin then French purple prose. scientific diction based on inherent Germanic Norman syntax-oriented openness to foreign patterns which valued resistance against smooth reading straightforward interpretations. analyses Henryk Samsonowicz’s introduction Rozkwit średniowiecznej Europy [The Heyday Medieval Europe] (2001) well Chris Wickham’s Rome. Stability Crisis City, 900–1150 (2015). conclusion is that texts – only those treating about Italy Ages belong different genres. While ­Polish authors try create linguistically transparent, smooth, stylized essays belonging belles-lettres, their colleagues seem be down-to-earth precise, consciously preserving traces cultural (Italian/ Roman) foreignness.