Chinese Modern Writer Lao She in Poland: Translation and Its Historical Significance

Abstract

Lao She occupies a unique place in the history of Chinese-Polish literary exchange. He was the first modern Chinese writer to be translated into Polish, and the only one whose works were translated from the 1940s to the 1990s. This article explores the context in which Lao She was translated in Poland, identifying three significant translation periods that reflect political, ideological and cultural changes in both countries. The first phase (1940s–1950s) reflects the introduction of Chinese culture through socialist cultural diplomacy. The second phase (1960s–1970s) marks an ideological detachment, with translators pursuing aesthetic and literary values beyond political frameworks. The third phase (1980s–1990s) reveals a shift towards market-driven motivations, following Poland’s transition to a post-socialist society. By analyzing the backgrounds of translators, the contexts in which their work was published, and the paratextual framing, the study reconstructs the historical logic behind the selection and interpretation of Lao She’s works in Polish. It argues that translation served as both a medium for disseminating literature and a mirror for the changing relations and cultural policies between China and Poland. The findings emphasize the dynamic interaction between ideology, literature and readership, showing how cross-cultural translation can shape and reflect national narratives and intellectual trends.