A Contribution to the Debate on the Necessity of Modernizing Old Polish Texts: A Pedagogical Perspective

Abstract

The article reflects on the need to modernize Old Polish texts from a didactic perspective. It addresses questions raised during a debate on the modernization of the language of early literature and introduces new issues related to this topic. The discussion is based on an attempt to modernize a sermon about St. Bartholomew. The translation is preceded by a pre-translational preparation, which includes an analysis of the sender–receiver relationship in both the original sermon and its modernized version,
the determination of the new function of the sermon, as well as the establishment and hierarchy of criteria for a good translation. The post-translational commentary compares the challenges encountered during the modernization process with common myths about translation. The findings emphasize the necessity of continuing efforts to modernize historical texts included in the school reading canon.