z_darius
2 Nov 2008
z_darius
2 Nov 2008
Life / Do we have TV in Poland? [38]
only fools ask stupid questions, and that's what that person asked.
only fools ask stupid questions, and that's what that person asked.
z_darius
2 Nov 2008
Life / Do we have TV in Poland? [38]
Look on the bright side: he heard about Europe, and he even knew there are maps.
When you really think about such questions then know this - people's statements often say more about them than about those they describe.
( no, he was not mocking me, really he was serious about that ) or where we actually are on the map of the Europe?
Look on the bright side: he heard about Europe, and he even knew there are maps.
When you really think about such questions then know this - people's statements often say more about them than about those they describe.
z_darius
2 Nov 2008
Love / Dating a Polish guy for the first time ever in my life [22]
What a nerve!
Two months? Two long months before he proposed?
(are you gonna buy him an engagement ring?)
this guy only starting talking about marriage now, so 2 months on, after 1 week he told me he loved me.
What a nerve!
Two months? Two long months before he proposed?
(are you gonna buy him an engagement ring?)
z_darius
31 Oct 2008
Study / University in Poland is too easy [68]
Extramural studies do not automatically imply that someone has a full time job, and the type of studies is not unique to Poland at all. Many UK, US and Canadian universities offer this mode of studies.
In fact, when you really give it a thought, a large part of serious effort in any studies is extramural.
Extramural studies do not automatically imply that someone has a full time job, and the type of studies is not unique to Poland at all. Many UK, US and Canadian universities offer this mode of studies.
In fact, when you really give it a thought, a large part of serious effort in any studies is extramural.
z_darius
31 Oct 2008
Study / University in Poland is too easy [68]
And that proves what?
Poland, US and Canada.
Well I have lectured and studied in both Polish and British Universities.
And that proves what?
How about you?
Poland, US and Canada.
z_darius
28 Oct 2008
Life / Talk-sex in Poland...are Poles really prude? [44]
What's so big about talking about it?
Talk-sex in Poland...are Poles really prude?
What's so big about talking about it?
z_darius
28 Oct 2008
Language / Which case for adjectives? [47]
in general it's ok, although I'd say "to jest ksiazka mike'a". The apostrophy should be used.
A sample of English with Polish declensions:
Boys'y fight'owali sie na sidewalk'u.
If I have a friend named Mike, would saying "To jest Mike'a książka" be correct?
in general it's ok, although I'd say "to jest ksiazka mike'a". The apostrophy should be used.
A sample of English with Polish declensions:
Boys'y fight'owali sie na sidewalk'u.
z_darius
28 Oct 2008
Life / HUMOROUS POLISH TOASTS [19]
or
No to na druga noge. (they drink)
O cholera!
Co sie stalo?
Poszlo w te sama noge.
To the other leg then (they drink)
Oh sshit!
What happened?
It went to the same leg.
4/ " Na druga noge!" (To the second leg!)
or
No to na druga noge. (they drink)
O cholera!
Co sie stalo?
Poszlo w te sama noge.
To the other leg then (they drink)
Oh sshit!
What happened?
It went to the same leg.
z_darius
28 Oct 2008
Study / University in Poland is too easy [68]
Where did you get that from? MLA has no hard rules about that.
The main thesis should be contained in the introduction.
That is a pretty ignorant comment to make and it shows right there that you know best what's worth an academic effort and what's not.
A weird comment from someone who merely repeats people's words in a different language, which in essence what you do when you translate?
Nevertheless, the title in an ACADEMIC essay should reflect that.
Where did you get that from? MLA has no hard rules about that.
The main thesis should be contained in the introduction.
ha ha ha! Priceless! Yes, I've seen a few titles like this too - the aim is usually nothing more than to fill 90 pages or whatever with writing.
That is a pretty ignorant comment to make and it shows right there that you know best what's worth an academic effort and what's not.
A weird comment from someone who merely repeats people's words in a different language, which in essence what you do when you translate?
z_darius
28 Oct 2008
Study / University in Poland is too easy [68]
In simple terms, in North America it is mostly task oriented and industry driven. Think of it as preparation for a job, rather than preparation for independent thought based on well founded reasons. That leads people to follow so called professional dogmas, rules, tricks and prescribed solutions. These rules are often followed without any kind of analysis or second look. The manual says so so this is how it is.
An example of that is urban planning, development and analysis of it all.
When people in Chicago died from heat exposure about 80 so called specialists concluded that those deceased were the culprits since they did not leave homes when advised. It took one independently thinking guy who went beyond the obvious (people did not leave homes) and analyzed why they did not follow the advisory, while people withing exactly the same age group, financial background etc. did (and survived).
In simple terms, in North America it is mostly task oriented and industry driven. Think of it as preparation for a job, rather than preparation for independent thought based on well founded reasons. That leads people to follow so called professional dogmas, rules, tricks and prescribed solutions. These rules are often followed without any kind of analysis or second look. The manual says so so this is how it is.
An example of that is urban planning, development and analysis of it all.
When people in Chicago died from heat exposure about 80 so called specialists concluded that those deceased were the culprits since they did not leave homes when advised. It took one independently thinking guy who went beyond the obvious (people did not leave homes) and analyzed why they did not follow the advisory, while people withing exactly the same age group, financial background etc. did (and survived).
z_darius
28 Oct 2008
Study / University in Poland is too easy [68]
Nah, goes back only to the mid 14th century.
Essay and thesis are two very different beasts. A piece of work like that can have an actual postulate or two, or it can be simply a descriptions of current state of affairs in a given field or a fragment of the field of expertise. This alone does not indicate the ability, or lack of academic tradition.
In some schools a graduate thesis is also only an option. You may get Masters without having one thought of your own - simply pass a few exams. For instance North American Masters of Library and Information Science. It all varies from subject to subject and from school to school.
Not sure how things look there now, but I can't imagine being able to work and study at the same time. The workload was simply too high. I pulled that trick in Canada though.
The main difference I see between what I experienced in North America and Poland was that in Poland they offered education and science. North American undergrad and grad schools are often concentrated on credentialing. The difference may sound subtle but really it is very profound.
There's not much of an academic tradition here.
Nah, goes back only to the mid 14th century.
I translated a final year Masters essay title the other day and it was along the lines of "The HR tools used in modern businesses". Evaluation? Discussion? Analysis? Who knows? Who cares?
Essay and thesis are two very different beasts. A piece of work like that can have an actual postulate or two, or it can be simply a descriptions of current state of affairs in a given field or a fragment of the field of expertise. This alone does not indicate the ability, or lack of academic tradition.
In some schools a graduate thesis is also only an option. You may get Masters without having one thought of your own - simply pass a few exams. For instance North American Masters of Library and Information Science. It all varies from subject to subject and from school to school.
any Polish students who I know did not have to work during studies, parents pay the bills.
Not sure how things look there now, but I can't imagine being able to work and study at the same time. The workload was simply too high. I pulled that trick in Canada though.
The main difference I see between what I experienced in North America and Poland was that in Poland they offered education and science. North American undergrad and grad schools are often concentrated on credentialing. The difference may sound subtle but really it is very profound.
z_darius
27 Oct 2008
Love / Understanding Polish Man [41]
Yahve held his anger for 3 days. Polish men can do better than that :)
I am just impressed on how mad he could get
Yahve held his anger for 3 days. Polish men can do better than that :)
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
Genealogy / looking for kasia lenart [5]
try to see if any of these
nasza-klasa.pl/search?query=Katarzyna+Lenart&city=&gender=&min_age=&max_age=
are of use to you.
The line above thumbs (‹ wstecz 1 2 3 4 dalej ›) is <previous 1234 next>
try to see if any of these
nasza-klasa.pl/search?query=Katarzyna+Lenart&city=&gender=&min_age=&max_age=
are of use to you.
The line above thumbs (‹ wstecz 1 2 3 4 dalej ›) is <previous 1234 next>
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
News / The most useless things in Poland [140]
some installed it as soundproofing and also for their thermal value.
Other did it because they thought it looked cool.
padded leather doors
some installed it as soundproofing and also for their thermal value.
Other did it because they thought it looked cool.
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
Life / PAYING TO TAKE A PISS IN POLAND, it's BIZARRE [77]
railway stations are usually the worst, and considering the traffic and the urgency some visitors feel I guess one might have to employ a "babcia" for every stall. In North America many toilets in highway service area could do with those too.
railway stations are usually the worst, and considering the traffic and the urgency some visitors feel I guess one might have to employ a "babcia" for every stall. In North America many toilets in highway service area could do with those too.
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
Language / recommend a good translation book [7]
I doubt there is such a thing. Polish grammar is unlike English. The words you are looking for in a dictionary are likely to be found there, but mostly in their infinitive forms. Just a few months of intense study will make you likely to be able to use Polish dictionaries so you can start learning Polish ;)
recommend a good translation book
I doubt there is such a thing. Polish grammar is unlike English. The words you are looking for in a dictionary are likely to be found there, but mostly in their infinitive forms. Just a few months of intense study will make you likely to be able to use Polish dictionaries so you can start learning Polish ;)
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
Language / DIALECTS IN POLAND? [28]
So is Lithuanian a dialect of Sanskrit, or the other way around?
I think this criterion is easily discredited as subjective. I can easilly communicate with Polish Gorale when I am among a dozen of them. Most Poles wouldn't have a clue what is being discussed. Now, Gorale speaking to Poles is a quite different matter. Their language changes a lot then.
In general, the distinction between language and dialects is not, in many cases, science but a view.
That is a plausible approach :)
So is Lithuanian a dialect of Sanskrit, or the other way around?
I think this criterion is easily discredited as subjective. I can easilly communicate with Polish Gorale when I am among a dozen of them. Most Poles wouldn't have a clue what is being discussed. Now, Gorale speaking to Poles is a quite different matter. Their language changes a lot then.
In general, the distinction between language and dialects is not, in many cases, science but a view.
Another definition of the distinction between language and dialect is that a language has its own army.
That is a plausible approach :)
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
Life / PAYING TO TAKE A PISS IN POLAND, it's BIZARRE [77]
at work we get paid a wee bit less so we can take a leak ;)
Most public toilets were paid.
Now, I understand the protest against paid peeing. I even got embarrassed one time in Worclaw railway station when I simply forgot to toss that coin before leaving. The woman ran after me like she was running for her life :))
Still, in an average North American city I'd be happy to pay some small fee for a public toilet but ... are there any?
but does this also mean that we should pay to **** at work?
at work we get paid a wee bit less so we can take a leak ;)
what was the situation in poland under communism?
Most public toilets were paid.
Now, I understand the protest against paid peeing. I even got embarrassed one time in Worclaw railway station when I simply forgot to toss that coin before leaving. The woman ran after me like she was running for her life :))
Still, in an average North American city I'd be happy to pay some small fee for a public toilet but ... are there any?
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
Language / Tak i taki [8]
Some examples
Tak:
- Yes
- You can do it this way, or like this
- This way or another.
- It's so cold.
- Are you that stupid?
-Any way you like it.
Taki:
- So big and yet so weak.
- This kind of a wedding is too expensive.
- That wasn't that easy.
- Somewhat/somehow silly. (taki jakis glupi)
I tak dalej (and so on)
Tak i taki
Some examples
Tak:
- Yes
- You can do it this way, or like this
- This way or another.
- It's so cold.
- Are you that stupid?
-Any way you like it.
Taki:
- So big and yet so weak.
- This kind of a wedding is too expensive.
- That wasn't that easy.
- Somewhat/somehow silly. (taki jakis glupi)
What about taki and so on?
I tak dalej (and so on)
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
Life / PAYING TO TAKE A PISS IN POLAND, it's BIZARRE [77]
Easy. This is pretty much similar to any amenity in any place.
Want a free bed in a hotel? Breakfast to come along? Or perhaps care to watch the latest movie in my rec room?
The fact is that this way or another someone pays for the "free" pisss.
Easy. This is pretty much similar to any amenity in any place.
Want a free bed in a hotel? Breakfast to come along? Or perhaps care to watch the latest movie in my rec room?
The fact is that this way or another someone pays for the "free" pisss.
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
Love / Understanding Polish Man [41]
So you started arguments often and every time he was very patient. They were small arguments, the last one was a big one and he backed off. IMO his reaction to this is justified. A drop, a big drop, in the bucket?
Latino character (emotions, aggressiveness) is a good explanation, but certainly not a good excuse.
How so?
Okay I am a very impulsive person, which he already knows..... and we had small arguments before, but he has always been patience with me and trying to make things work..... But not this last time, which he really got mad BACK!!!....
So you started arguments often and every time he was very patient. They were small arguments, the last one was a big one and he backed off. IMO his reaction to this is justified. A drop, a big drop, in the bucket?
Latino character (emotions, aggressiveness) is a good explanation, but certainly not a good excuse.
if that is the case he seems like a big SOB, nothing to do with the nationality
How so?
z_darius
26 Oct 2008
Life / PAYING TO TAKE A PISS IN POLAND, it's BIZARRE [77]
Building and maintaining a toilet so that someone could come and take a pisss for free - bizarre!
It's not exactly free. It's paid for by the vendors, who charge a little extra so they can meet the bottom line, so in fact it is paid by the shoppers.
Now, as or the Toronto's pisssing heaven, you haven't really told us the full juicy details :).
Did they finally vote that new law allowing people to take a leak anywhere where there is a toilet? Or do people still have to buy a coffee and a donut (or a breakfast) first if they want to pisss?
PAYING TO TAKE A PISSS IN POLAND, it's BIZARRE
Building and maintaining a toilet so that someone could come and take a pisss for free - bizarre!
I don't buy it. In Toronto there's loads of bums and beggars. They don't all crowd public toilets. Public places like shopping centers all offer free pee service.
It's not exactly free. It's paid for by the vendors, who charge a little extra so they can meet the bottom line, so in fact it is paid by the shoppers.
Now, as or the Toronto's pisssing heaven, you haven't really told us the full juicy details :).
Did they finally vote that new law allowing people to take a leak anywhere where there is a toilet? Or do people still have to buy a coffee and a donut (or a breakfast) first if they want to pisss?
z_darius
25 Oct 2008
News / March of Tolerance in Krakow [478]
sorry about that, the number of responses was has been overwhelming so I must have missed yours.
It sure is a theory, based on research, not the bible or ACLU charter. As for the conclusions I draw - there is a body of research that shows what has always seemed logical to me: homosexuality is a biologically abnormal state. That's all.
Yes, it is. But if homosexuality is normal in all aspect then:
1. why do we have to prove that the difference is of the same nature as, for instance, that between a blond and a brunette?
2. Why should we even discuss tolerance towards someone who doesn't display biologically abnormal behavior?
Conclusion based on purely biological grounds may be very beneficial to the whole issue. Consider AIDS. They used to call it gay's disease. Biology has proven there is no special relation between homosexuality and HIV. This has been beneficial for gays in the society, and by extension for those infected with the virus.
Along the lines of grethomory's post, if there is a proof that homosexuality is an abnormality of the genetic code then the bible thumpers are screwed. They can no longer claim homosexuality is a choice of lifestyle. Moreover, one could potentially blame their gods for creating what they criticize. A little speech to that effect could touch upon the beauty of all of god's creations ;)
yo, hey, z_man, you kinda forfeited on our last exchange. No big deal I suppose as this latest of yours is of much more interest to me.
sorry about that, the number of responses was has been overwhelming so I must have missed yours.
I think the findings you posted are quite interesting but they don't appear to be actually proven, just a hypothetical cause. Anyway let's make like their theory (if it is in fact a theory) is spot on and homosexuality is "abnormal." So is blindness, so is being born with a number of abnormalities, what conclusion(s) do you draw from this then?
It sure is a theory, based on research, not the bible or ACLU charter. As for the conclusions I draw - there is a body of research that shows what has always seemed logical to me: homosexuality is a biologically abnormal state. That's all.
Isn't this thread about being tolerant of differences?
Yes, it is. But if homosexuality is normal in all aspect then:
1. why do we have to prove that the difference is of the same nature as, for instance, that between a blond and a brunette?
2. Why should we even discuss tolerance towards someone who doesn't display biologically abnormal behavior?
Unfortunately you do have to argue in the social sphere to define your concept and advance your theory.
Conclusion based on purely biological grounds may be very beneficial to the whole issue. Consider AIDS. They used to call it gay's disease. Biology has proven there is no special relation between homosexuality and HIV. This has been beneficial for gays in the society, and by extension for those infected with the virus.
Along the lines of grethomory's post, if there is a proof that homosexuality is an abnormality of the genetic code then the bible thumpers are screwed. They can no longer claim homosexuality is a choice of lifestyle. Moreover, one could potentially blame their gods for creating what they criticize. A little speech to that effect could touch upon the beauty of all of god's creations ;)
z_darius
25 Oct 2008
History / Poland war propaganda poster - can anyone explain this picture? [292]
It was.
A similar poster was produced by Germans for the French consumption: "C 'est L'anglais qui nous a fait ca".
This is a game of words that in effect has two meanings:
1. Poland was the first country to put up a fight against the Germans (Austria and Czechoslovakia didn't)
2. Poland is always ready to fight. Implies that Poles do not look for excuses to avoid a just fight, or look whether others are ready if there is a need to fight.
That is interesting, so it really would be propaganda then.
It was.
A similar poster was produced by Germans for the French consumption: "C 'est L'anglais qui nous a fait ca".
Anyone care to comment on these?
This is a game of words that in effect has two meanings:
1. Poland was the first country to put up a fight against the Germans (Austria and Czechoslovakia didn't)
2. Poland is always ready to fight. Implies that Poles do not look for excuses to avoid a just fight, or look whether others are ready if there is a need to fight.
z_darius
25 Oct 2008
Life / Polish Protestants [22]
If you read my post again you will notice I missed nothing.
Oh, you need to read about Statute of Kalisz (1264) first.
You however missed this bit
If you read my post again you will notice I missed nothing.
Oh, you need to read about Statute of Kalisz (1264) first.
z_darius
25 Oct 2008
Language / COMAPRISONS WITH 'JAK' (eg pijany jak szewc) [3]
my attempt would be: as swift as water in the toilet bowl.
How about: bystry jak woda w sraczu! (Untranslatable?)
my attempt would be: as swift as water in the toilet bowl.
z_darius
25 Oct 2008
Language / My Learning Polish Woes... [64]
You guys should keep that filth to yourselves ;)
But seriously, that's what Polish kids go through in school to practice and test the spelling skills. At least when I was there. The Polish term for this is dyktando.
Still, I think the key aspect of every language is the active part. That means talk, talk, and talk some more. Repeat what you hear whenever you can. Write down what you hear as an exercise. The active part also greatly accellerates the passive knowledge of a language skill.
Keith:
A great thing my teacher does is dictation
Yes, I do this with my teacher too.
A great thing my teacher does is dictation
Yes, I do this with my teacher too.
You guys should keep that filth to yourselves ;)
But seriously, that's what Polish kids go through in school to practice and test the spelling skills. At least when I was there. The Polish term for this is dyktando.
Still, I think the key aspect of every language is the active part. That means talk, talk, and talk some more. Repeat what you hear whenever you can. Write down what you hear as an exercise. The active part also greatly accellerates the passive knowledge of a language skill.
z_darius
25 Oct 2008
News / March of Tolerance in Krakow [478]
Sean,
Two simple sentences describe it so well that I think anyone would agree.
Ever considered being a crisis/hostage negotiator? You sure show the skill ;)
Sean,
Two simple sentences describe it so well that I think anyone would agree.
Ever considered being a crisis/hostage negotiator? You sure show the skill ;)