"Paul et Virginie" en Roumanie

Deux siècles de traductions et de circulation éditoriale

Abstract

This article examines the Romanian translations of Paul and Virginia by Bernardin de Saint Pierre, tracing their evolution from the nineteenth century to the present day. By focusing on key translations and their editorial contexts, the study highlights how different historical, ideological and cultural conditions have shaped both translation practices and the reception of the novel in the Romanian literary space. The analysis emphasizes the diversity of translators’ profiles – ranging from early mediators of the text to later professional translators and cultural agents – and shows how their individual approaches are closely linked to the expectations of their respective periods.

It explores the transition from introductory translations and mass dissemination in widely circulated collections to later reinterpretations marked by educational aims, editorial mediation, and changing readership horizons. Particular attention is given to the role of the Biblioteca pentru toți in ensuring the broad circulation of the novel, as well as to more recent retranslations that seek to recontextualize the work for contemporary audiences through strategies of linguistic modernization and patrimonial valorization. The study also takes into account recent editorial initiatives, such as the transliteration of earlier translations, which reflect a renewed interest in these texts and contribute to their reintegration into the contemporary literary circuit.