Polish Blog

Language and Culture of the Polish-Speaking World

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Conversations with Poles – What Not to Mention

Mar 7, 2010 1:52am

One thing that becomes immediately apparent from Adam’s post is that an unprepared foreigner should avoid talking politics with a Pole whenever possible, because the experience may turn out to be less than pleasant. But don’t worry, even if you get two Poles discussing politics, chances are the conversation may...

Politics? Oh no!

Mar 3, 2010 3:22pm

Today we have another guest post from Adam. And brace yourselves, it’s about polityka – politics. Before I started writing for Polish Blog, Anna instructed me to never ever mention politics in my posts. I understand how this topic might be problematic and even uncomfortable. People have different views, and we...

Documentary Film About Wisława Szymborska

Feb 28, 2010 8:16pm

Have you heard about his new documentary about Wisława Szymborska? I haven’t had a chance to watch it, so I can’t give you a proper review, but from what I’m hearing and reading about it, it certainly sounds very interesting. It’s titled - “Sometimes Life is Bearable”, directed by Katarzyna...

Two Ears and Two Eyes

Feb 24, 2010 8:57pm

I was writing something yesterday, in Polish, as it happens, and I almost had a nervous breakdown. Why? Plural forms of “number + noun” combinations are enough to drive anyone insane, even a native Pole. And it all looked so simple! I was talking about body parts, more specifically, those body...

Being Cool (episode 2)

Feb 22, 2010 7:49pm

Today Adam continues his very fascinating story of the emergence of “cool” in Poland in the 00s. Today we will follow up on being cool and the language of youth in the noughties. It was apparent from episode one, that fashions in this country do change quite rapidly. A new word...

Surviving the First Hello

Feb 20, 2010 5:49pm

Another totally awesome post by our resident guest blogger - Adam. We will get back to being cool in Poland in my next post. This time, inspired by the adventures of some newbies to Poland, I would like to tackle the issue of being polite. The rules on how you behave vary...

Środa Popielcowa - Ash Wednesday

Feb 17, 2010 7:56pm

So…. Karnawał (carnival) is over! No more parties, no more dancing, no more drinking until you fall down under the table. It’s all about somber (and sober) penance now. Yes, today was Środa Popielcowa (Ash Wednesday), and in a country as Catholic as Poland that is indeed an important observance. The...

Sympathy for “Sympatia”

Feb 14, 2010 8:06pm

Valentine’s Day (walentynki) came and went and I hope it was a pleasant occasion for you with czekoladki (chocolates), kwiatki (flowers) and romantyczna kolacyjka (romantic dinner). (Yes, all of the above are diminutive nouns, but that’s how we would say it). What this Valentine’s Day made me realize was how confusing the...

Being Cool (episode 1): A Short History of “Lans”

Feb 11, 2010 7:51pm

Today Adam Blomberg, our new permanent (I sure hope so! - hint, hint, nudge, nudge) guest blogger decided to show us just how far behind the times us old farts are. :-) This is what the cool kids in Poland did in the 00s, apparently. Read on: As in every country and...

Why Polish Feminine Nouns Can Be Confusing

Feb 8, 2010 8:55pm

Adam’s post about feminine endings for occupations and positions held by women made me think about feminine gender nouns in general. That proposed ending “-a” makes it very easy to assume that Polish feminine nouns should end in “-a”. And yes, many indeed do. But not all. There are some nouns that...