Eros z patyną. Kilka przykładów z antycznej komedii w sprawie historii przekładu erotyki

Eros with patina. Translating erotica in ancient comedy Using Plautus’ comedies as an example, the article shows how the translation of erotica varied depending on the dominant habits and customs of a given period. It underlines two opposite trends: one allows an ever-growing license to invoke fantasy; the second inhibits the texts to be too graphic and vulgar (especially when it comes to the choice of language). If an erotic pun of the original invokes only sexual associations and allusions, translators often feel obliged to be bold in their version of the text. But there can be no consent about the use of vulgar language. On the one hand, translators are hindered by the conviction that the heroes of ancient plays should not speak a language that looks too modern. On the other hand, dictionaries offer an almost biblical (or just archaic) vocabulary when it comes to the obscene. In effect erotica usually tend to sound older, more archaic, than the rest of the text