Of course, the system is not perfect. Some purists argue that any voice-over is an intrusion. A lector can spoil plot twists by reading a character's unspoken internal monologue that was meant to be ambiguous. Also, in scenes with multiple characters talking over each other (common in Turkish family arguments), the lector must choose a single line to read, and some nuance is lost. Furthermore, the lector’s voice is almost always male, even for female-dominated scenes, which some viewers find jarring.
Yet, overwhelmingly, Polish fans defend the practice. An unscientific but telling poll on a popular Polish fanpage for Turkish series asked: "Which format helps you fall in love with the characters more?" Over 80% voted for "lektor," with comments like: "Dubbing kills the soul," "Subtitles make me miss their eyes," and "The lector is like a friend telling you a story."
Translating Turkish soap operas into Polish via lektor is not trivial: seriale tureckie z polskim lektorem
Trend nie maleje. Tureckie produkcje są tańsze dla polskich nadawców niż amerykańskie, a przynoszą większą oglądalność. W planach są nowe emisje z lektorem, a także wznowienia kultowych tytułów. Co więcej, Polacy coraz chętniej podróżują do Turcji, odwiedzając plan filmowy "Zakazanego Owocu" czy pałac Topkapi z "Wspaniałego Stulecia".
Eksperci przewidują, że za kilka lat seriale tureckie z polskim lektorem będą stanowić nawet 30% wieczornej ramówki telewizyjnej. Of course, the system is not perfect
The craze began in earnest around 2011 with Wspaniałe stulecie. The story of Hürrem Sultan and Suleiman the Magnificent, filled with palace intrigue, lavish costumes, and melodrama, became a household staple. Polish channels like TVP2, TV4, and later platforms like TVP Kobieta and Netflix Poland, realized that simply dubbing these series into Polish would be a mistake. Dubbing often flattens performances, making even the most passionate Turkish actor sound like a cartoon character. Meanwhile, full subtitles require constant visual attention, distracting from the beautiful cinematography and the actors’ expressive faces—a key element of Turkish acting, which relies heavily on lingering glances, sighs, and unspoken tension.
Enter the lektor. A skilled Polish lector—and the best have become minor celebrities in their own right, such as the legendary Janusz Kozioł or Ewa Kania—interprets the dialogue in a neutral, rhythmic, almost hypnotic tone. The emotional heavy lifting remains with the original actors. When the Turkish actor cries, shouts, or whispers a confession of love, you hear it raw and unfiltered. The lector simply guides you through the meaning. This dual-layer soundscape creates a unique intimacy: you feel you are watching the original performance, but you understand every word. Trend nie maleje
| Feature | Lektor (Polish) | Dubbing | Subtitles | |---------|----------------|---------|------------| | Original audio audible | Yes | No | Yes | | Production cost | Medium | High | Low | | Emotional retention | High (actor’s voice) | Low (new voice) | Medium | | Accessibility | Good for low literacy | Best for children | Needs reading | | Polish preference for Turkish series | Dominant | Rare | Growing (younger viewers) |