Posts under "Polish Language"

Pan and Pani

Posted by Kasia 6 Comments
Apr 29 2011

In Polish language there is great complexity when dealing with forms of address. The forms of addressing people in one country are often different in another county. I wanted to explain some of these differences and the meanings behind them.

First, let’s look at the seemingly simple forms of address such as “Pan/Pani” (Sir/Madam) and “ty” (you). The distinction between these two is very important when you converse with Polish people. If you do not use the words in an appropriate manner you might receive “weird looks” from people or, if you are lucky, perhaps a bit of a laughter. If you are not, you can expect to get into trouble. And if you think this is a joke, trust me it’s not. Here is why.

Imagine asking an elderly person a simple question, such as “Where do you live”? (Gdzie ty mieszkasz?). If you are a foreigner who has a basic command of the Polish language and who is used to the form “you,” that’s what you would probably say. In Polish, however, we would say “Where does Sir/Madam live?” (Gdzie Pan/Pani mieszka?). The elderly person would probably take the word “you” literally – meaning “ty,” and since in Poland relationships with senior people are rather formal, he or she would much likely take it as an offense.

The same goes with any business situation while talking to your boss or any superior authority. Imagine coming to a polish job interview and saying for example “Jak się masz?” (How are you?) instead of “Jak się Pan/Pani ma?” (How is Sir/Madam/). I do not think you would have any chance to get that job unless the person knows you are a foreigner and you are excused to make mistakes like that.

As weird as it can be, these linguistic implications work both ways. In other words, Polish people struggle with “you” as well. Why? Since we are used to the form Sir/Madam, it is very awkward for us to use the word “you” when speaking English to people we meet for the first time as well as elderly people or someone superior to us. Every time we say it, it seems inappropriate and disrespectful at the same time. That is how I felt at first when I moved to USA…until I got used to using “you” with everyone…

In fact, the feeling of awkwardness is far-reaching for Polish people. For example, it is not common at all or, better yet, it is extremely rude and unacceptable in Poland to be on a first-name basis with one’s boss. Whereas, for example, Americans do not seem to have a problem with that. Unless our boss simply states, “Please call me Steve,” we will continue calling him Mr. Smith or simply Sir. The same goes with any other relationship in our country. Even relationships between peers usually start as formal and then they gradually change to being the “best friends” type of relationship.

While studying in college in Poland, all professors would address students as Pan/Pani as well. If they would talk to me, they would say”Pani Kasiu”. As far as I know – they still do it. I know that for a lot of students it means that now they are adults and they are respected more than for example in high school.

It is good to have basic knowledge of social differences straight before setting off on the trip to Poland. If you do not want to come across as weird or rude simply follow this old adage: “When in Poland do as the Polish people do.” :)

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

 

 

Useful Polish phrases

Posted by Kasia 1 Comment
Jan 19 2011

Here are some basic phrases that would help you during the visit in Poland. Of course there are many more of them, but these simple ones should be enough for the beginning.

Yes = Tak

No = Nie

Thank you = Dziękuję

Thank you very much = Serdecznie dziękuję

You’re welcome = Nie ma za co

Please = Proszę

Excuse me = Przepraszam

Hello = Dzień dobry

Goodbye = Do widzenia; do zobaczenia

Good morning / Good afternoon = Dzień dobry

Good evening = Dobry wieczór

Good night = Dobranoc

You’re very attractive = Bardzo mi się podobasz

How about breakfast? = Co powiesz na śniadanie?

I love you = Kocham Cię

I have a boyfriend = Mam chłopaka

I have a girlfriend = Mam dziewczynę

I’m engaged (male) = Jestem zaręczony 

I’m engaged (female) = Jestem zaręczona

I’m happily married (male) =  Jestem szczęśliwie żonaty

I’m happily married (female) = Jestem szczęśliwą mężatką

I do not understand = Nie rozumiem

Do you speak English? = Mówisz po angielsku?

What is your name? = Jak masz na imię,? Jak się Pan(i) nazywa?

Nice to meet you. = Miło mi cię / Pana / Panią poznać

How are you? = Jak się masz / Jak się Pan(i) ma?

How old are you? = Ile masz / Pan(i) ma lat?

Can I have a ticket? = Jeden bilet proszę

Good = Dobrze

Very good (about the food) – Bardzo dobre, dobra, dobry

Bad = Źle

So so = Tak sobie; Jako tako

Tourist Information = Informacja Turystyczna

How much does this cost? = Ile to kosztuje?

What is this? = Co to jest?

I’ll buy it. = Poproszę (przy zakupie)

Please bring the bill. = Rachunek poproszę

I want to speak to the manager? = Chcę rozmawiać z kierownikiem

I am a teacher (male) = Jestem nauczycielem

I am a teacher (female) = Jestem nauczycielką

I run my own business = Prowadzę własną firmę

I am a housewife = Jestem gospodynią domową

Tea = Herbata

Coffee = Kawa

Water = Woda

Beer = Piwo

What time is it? = Która godzina?

Happy Birthday! = Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin!  (My husband couldn’t believe this one…)

My husband got two phrases confused for a while. Each time my mom would ask how his dinner was, with a big smile he would say” Dzień dobry”. Of course he meant “bardzo dobra”. So if you get confused, don’t worry about it. It’s the good intensions that count! And practice makes the master!

 

Do następnego razu! (Till next time…)

Polish Literature, Literatura Polska – Part 2

Posted by Kasia 5 Comments
Dec 14 2010

Last time we talked about the early history of Polish literature. I promised we would continue, so let’s start with Enlightenment and the 19th Century.

The Enlightenment (Oświecenie) and particularly the reign of the last king of Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski, was an important period in the development of Polish literature.

The first Polish novel, The Adventures of Mikołaj Doświadczyński (Mikołaja Doświadczyńskiego przypadki), was written by Bishop Ignacy Krasicki (1735-1801), a moralist (moralista) and satirical poet (poeta satyryczny).

Polish romantic poetry (poezja romantyczna) played an important role in keeping nationalist sentiment alive. The outstanding writers at that time, Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki and Zygmunt Krasiński, wrote outside Poland. To this day, their work forms the canon of patriotic literature, whose jewel in the crown is Mickiewicz’s Pan Tadeusz, which is both nostalgic evocation of the vanishing traditions of the nobility and the vision of the emergence of more modern social attitudes. Also notable at this time was the comedy writer Aleksander Fredro, whose works includes Revenge (Zemsta) and Husband and Wife (Mąż i Żona).   

Another writer who holds a prominent place in the history of Polish Romantic literature is Cyprian Kamil Norwid, regarded at the precursor of modernism. Eliza Orzeszkowa (1840-1910) and Bolesław Prus (1847-1912) with famous Lalka are the principal figures in the next phase of the development of the Polish novel.

Another major writer of this time was Henryk sienkiewicz (1846-1916), best known in Poland for his trilogy (trylogia) of historical novels describing events in the 17th century Poland  and The Teutonic Knights (Krzyżacy), which is devoted to the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Outside Poland Sienkiewicz is better known for Quo Vadis?, which deals with the beginnings of Christianity and for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1905. Quo Vadis was made into a movie – which I happened to be on the set of as an extra. It was a lot of fun and I spent the whole summer watching this movie being made.

 20th Century Literature

From 1900 onwards Young Poland (Młoda Polska), a modern trend in Polish literature particularly associated with the artist community of Cracow, began to emerge. A key role in this was played by Stanisław Wyspiański (1869-1907), author of the Symbolist play The Wedding (Wesele), which was made into a film by Andrzej Wajda 70 years later. Also influential in the Young Poland was a Bohemian group surrounding Stanisław Przybyszewski.

Another Nobel laureate was Władysław Reymont (1865-1925) for The Peasants (Chłopi), which describes the lives of the inhabitants of a village near Łowicz. Between the wars, avant-garde writers such as Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz (aka Witkacy, 1885-1939), Bruno Schulz (1893-1942) and Witold Gombrowicz (1904-69) came to prominence.

Polish literature after World War II spawned many famous writers, several of whom wrote from abroad for political reasons. Stanisław Lem wrote philosophical science fiction, which has been translated into many languages. His Solaris was made into a film by Andrei Tarkovsky. Tadeusz Różewicz, also well – known as a poet, and Sławomir Mrożek are prominent among playwrights. Hanna Krall and Ryszard Kapuściński are renowned for their documentary writing. Andrzej Szczypiorski, who wrote A Mass for Arras (Msza za miasto Arras) and the Beginning (Początek) has also achieved international recognition. Contemporary poetry has a special place in Polish literature. Apart from Tadeusz Różewicz, its main exponents are Zbigniew Herbert, Ryszard krynicki and Stanisław Barańczak. The best illustration of the achievements of contemporary Polish writers is the award of two recent Nobel prizes: the 1980 prize to Czesław Miłosz, and the 1996 prize, to the Cracow poetess Wisława Szymborska.

 

It is pretty easy to get most of the Polish books online and have them sent to USA. Of course I love to shop for them while I’m in Poland, but unfortunately can not do it too often…

I apologize if I didn’t name your favorite authors. I tried to mention the most important ones though.

Do następnego razu! (Till next time…)

Warsaw ZOO

Posted by Kasia 4 Comments
Oct 21 2010

While you are in Poland, especially in Warsaw area, a great idea for you and your family is to visit the Warsaw Zoological Gardens.

The Zoo in Warsaw was founded in 1928. At that time, it covered an area of 12 hectares (30 acres) and was home to approximately 500 animals mainly representing the Polish fauna.

Between 1930 and 1939, the ZOO developed dynamically. New cages (klatki) for exotic animal (zwierzęta egzotyczne) were built, such as the elephant house (dom dla słoni), the hippopotamus house (dom dla hipopotamów), an enclosure for the polar bears (pomieszczenia dla niedźwiedzi polarnych) and pool for the seals (basen dla fok).

The biggest breeding success of this era was the birth of a female Indian elephant Tuzinka in 1937. She is still the only elephant born in any of the Polish Zoos.

In 1939, the Zoo was extended to 32 hectares (80 acres) and became the largest Zoo in Europe. In September 1939, when the Zoo was flourishing, the war came and meant the end of its existence. During the Warsaw‘s bombing, parts of the Zoo premises were destroyed and many of the animals were killed. The most dangerous species that survived were put to sleep on the orders of the authorities who decided that these animals might pose a threat (stwarzać zagrożenie). The animals, including the favorite of the Zoo’s visitors, the elephant Tuzinka, were taken to Germany. No one has ever found out what happened to them.

In July 1946, the authorities decided to rebuild the Zoo. The work started almost immediately and new animals were collected. In 1948, the Zoo was opened once again to the public.

After a short period of dynamic development, stagnation set in. This was due to unfortunate decision to relocate the Zoo outside of Warsaw. As a result (rezultatem tego), the Zoo suffered financial problems for many years.

The Zoo had to wait until 1980’s before it was incorporated into the new development plans for Warsaw. Since that time, new buildings have been built and the standard of living for the Zoo inhabitants has improved significantly (poprawiło się znacznie). Soon, the last of the oldest cages and the old – fashioned animal houses will disappear forever.

The most recent animal houses to appear include the Reptile house, the Aviary, the Fantasy Zoo, a modern Elephant House and the Australian Enclosure. These were all constructed in the last few years.

The garden is visited by 600,000people every year. Currently, the Warsaw Zoo covers an area of 40 hectares (100 acres). There are about 5,000 animals representing nearly 500 species. The Zoo takes part in EEP Programs (European Endangered Species Breading Programs), whose aims are to save endangered species (zagrożone rodzaje, gatunki).

They also run school lessons, lectures for students, activities for children with disabilities. Every year they put many exhibitions for display.

My husband and I visited the Warsaw Zoo just this last June and it was a great adventure. Our 6 month old daughter loved it and we had a lot of fun too. The Zoo was clean and had a great variety of animals. You can buy a little book/brochure in different languages that has the most important information about the Zoo.

We really enjoyed Hugon and Kuba, the only Indian Rhinoceros in Poland. They run, jump and play in the mud. The Indian Rhino is also called “Armored Rhino” due to the bumps and folds of its skin.

The Australian Enclosure was really interesting too. The representatives (przedstawiciele) of the Australian fauna live in a grassy enclosure with massive red rocks. Two species of kangaroos (kangury), the red kangaroo and the red necked wallaby share one house with separate (oddzielne) sleeping quarters. You can go inside (wejść do środka) to stand face to face (twarzą w twarz) with the largest pouched animals – a male red kangaroo weighing up to 90 kilograms or to study closely the pouch of a female kangaroo with the small head of a baby kangaroo poking out.

Also, make sure to visit big gorillas (goryle). They are really funny!

At The Fantasy Zoo children can visit animals they know well from fairy tales. They can play with them and even feed them on occasions.

There are three playgrounds for kids, a roofed summer house where they organize parties for children. You can also lie down at the lawns and have a picnic.

You can see al kinds of animals: elephants (słonie), giraffes (żyrafy), lions (lwy), tigers (tygrysy), snakes (węże), crocodiles (krokodyle), monkeys (małpy), birds (ptaki), penguins (pingwiny), bears (niedźwiedzie), anteaters (mrówkojady), sharks (rekiny) and many, many more…

Every year, on the first Friday of June, at 5 pm, in close to 300 zoological gardens around the world an event called Dreamnight is held. This is an evening of wonders for children chronically ill which started initially from the country of Holland. The Warsaw Zoo was the first one in Poland to join it. Now, almost all of the Polish zoological gardens have gone in the Warsaw’s Zoo footsteps.

So if you are in Warsaw, in the summer or in the winter time, stop by to meet all animals!

Zoo is opened everyday 9am till 5pm (I think they may close it a little earlier during the winter time). Tickets are 16 zł (around $5.00) for adults, and 11 zł (around $3.00) for kids. You can also buy a seasonal pass for $100.00 zł (around $28.00).

Check out their website:

http://www.zoo.waw.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1&lang=en

where you can take a virtual tour, look at chosen rooms online (pictures are transmitted directly from cameras placed in animals rooms), see different pictures and find out all about current activities taking place at the Zoo.

 

 

Do następnego razu! (Till next time…)

What’s in a Name?

Posted by Katarzyna 10 Comments
Sep 23 2010

There are many things we are born with that we don’t have a choice in. We can’t select if we’re going to be a male or female, short or tall, blond or brunette (well, this one many do change in every color in the spectrum, but whatever). Another thing we are given at birth is our name. Now, as a parent, I know I struggled with finding names for my children. You want something that won’t embarrass them, something that sounds good with the surname and, often times, it has to have some sort of meaning. My Polish name is Katarzyna, but my given name here, being born in the US, is Catherine. I am named after my paternal grandmother, and my middle name is Anna, after my mother. Now, given that Catherine can be spelled with a K as well, I asked my mother, why spell it with a C? I thought it would be something profound, something with so much meaning I might be overwhelmed. Her answer – I just wanted something different than the Polish. All right then.

There may not be significance in picking a C, but there is the family value of my name being passed down to me. Now Katarzyna is taken from the Greek as well, and its meaning is Pure. So this got me thinking. There are SEVERAL truly Polish names and it got me wondering, what’s behind the name?

I began my name research with my family. Since my parents names were of German and Hebrew origin, I decided to go into my uncles, aunts and cousins names to start finding some Slavic-origin names and break them down for their meanings. So, a name common to both sides of my family, and I would argue most Polish people know or have an uncle named so, is Stanisław. Or the short form is Staś. Well, this name translates into one that stands or achieves fame or glory. Translated into English, Stanisław is Stanley.

There are a lot of Polish names that end with -sław. Add an -a ending on some of them, and they are the feminine form. Here are some examples and their meanings:

  • Władysława – possessor of the fame (or glory)
  • Czesław – honor and fame (or glory)
  • Bronisław – protect of the fame (or glory) (name of current Polish President, Bronisław Komorowski)
  • Borzysław – fighter for the fame (or glory)
  • Mirosław – one who achieves fame (or glory) through peace
  • Radosław – one who is happy to have fame (or glory)

There are several more I am certain, and if you know them and their meaning, please add to the post via the comments below. You may help someone decide on a Polish name for their future son or daughter.

There are Polish names that derive from the root word that refers to God. These include Bożena (female name), Bogusław (male name that means God’s glory) as well as Bogdan (male name meaning God given). And then there are the Polish names that derive from the root for love mił-. The most popular of these names are Miłosz, a male name meaning love, and Milena, the female form.

In light of these good roots, there are also names that are rooted around destruction. For example, take the name Kazimierz. This name literally translates to one that “destroys prestige”.  Then there is also Mścisław, which roots its meaning in vengeance and fame (or glory).

And them there are a few that make me smile. For example, take the name Jarosław. We know the -sław ending means fame or glory. The Jar root means fire or blaze. So the name Jarosław literally means “blaze of glory”. How can you not smile at that? Or the name Zbygniew. It means to get rid of anger. But saying the name, you would think that it would command something angry instead of dispelling it.

Needless to say, there are many Polish names to choose from. It all depends on what you want out of your name.  And those these are Slavic-rooted names, there are many Polish derivatives for names rooted in other languages. All you need to do is your name research.

Hope this has been helpful. Again, if you have more names I have mentioned and their meaning, please list them in the comments. You never know who might be using them.

Do następnego czytania…

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