Posts by polam

polam

26 Jan 2009

History / Polish Anti-semitism - origins? [186]

It strikes me that almost all of the posts concern 20th century Polish-Jewish relations. I guess that makes some sense, given the extraordinary events of the Second World War. But we should be thinking about the centuries of relatively peaceful co-existence between Poles and Jews. Doesn't anybody ever wonder why so many Jews lived in Poland or the lands of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth? The answer, of course, is that they were invited to live there. When every Western European country was expelling Jews, Poland was welcoming them with open arms. Jews and Jewish culture thrived in Poland for centuries.

polam

26 Jan 2009

Genealogy / Grandfather's village? (Katowice?) [10]

I was doing some genealogical research and came across a ship's manifest which included my grandfather. It listed his hometown as "Hutowce." Now, I have looked on all kinds of maps (including Polish maps), atlases, and the internet, but I cannot find a town or village by that name. The spelling looks suspicious to me. It may not be correct. It has been suggested that maybe it should be "Katowice," but I always thought my ancestors were in eastern Poland (or, rather, what is today Ukraine). Has anyone heard of this town or village? Any ideas what it could be?

Thanks in advance!!

polam

29 Jan 2009

Language / Rok vs. Lat [30]

I understand both of these Polish words to mean "year." Is that correct? If so, how do you choose between them when writing a sentence?

polam

29 Jan 2009

Genealogy / Grandchildren of Polish Immigrants [26]

I am wondering how many other grandchildren of Polish immigrants share the same experience as me. My grandparents came to the U.S. sometime around 1912. I did not know my grandfather well, as he died when I was 2. I remember my grandmother better. She did not speak English very well, yet all of her 4 children had English as their first language (having gone to public school here in the U.S.). My father, and I'm sure my aunts and uncles, knew a little Polish, but not that much. It seems that they were not encouraged to learn Polish. Also, the children (my father included) did not seem to know too much about the family history and origin. And, to my astonishment, they did not seem to be that interested.

Then I come along. I am greatly interested in my Polish heritage. I have been trying to learn Polish for many years. I have read many, many Polish history books (as many as I can find in English) and books about Poland generally. I can't explain it, but I feel an attachment to all things Polish (I know the "true" Poles on this forum will probably laugh at me).

Has it been anybody else's experience that the grandchildren of immigrants are far more interested in their heritage than the children of immigrants?

polam

29 Jan 2009

Language / Rok vs. Lat [30]

Thank you all for your responses. Now, for the next obvious question, does anybody know how the plural of rok became lata? I know every language has irregularities, but this one is really irregular.

polam

29 Jan 2009

Genealogy / Grandchildren of Polish Immigrants [26]

Only the culture I was born and raised in shapes me to be who I am.

I agree with that, to an extent. The problem is I was raised in America listening to Polish music (or at least the American version of Polish polkas), eating Polish food, celebrating Wigilia, and referring to my grandparents as "Babcia" and "Dziadzia." That upbringing is far different than my other American friends of Italian descent or Irish descent. I had a taste of Polish culture which whetted my appetite for more. I am not trying to deny that I am largely a product of American culture, but being an American is perhaps more complex than you think.

polam

29 Jan 2009

Genealogy / Grandchildren of Polish Immigrants [26]

I dont regard food as a cultural aspect, niether do I regard music as a strong cultural componant.

Most people would disagree with you.

For me real culture is something intangible. Americans dont seem to grasp this.

Your condescension is really not necessary (or warranted).

I am culturally scottish, not because I was born in scotland or because my parents were scottish. I am scottish because I was raised in scotland from childhood to adulthood. scotland changed and formed my character and personality through its culture.

I don't think we disagree that I am an American and you are Scottish (but are you a Scot?).

Real scottish culture to me is; people, community, kinship, ideology, sense of inward and outward perceptions, beliefs, dialect, politics, attitudes, behavioural aspects, understandings, banter, worldview etc,

Yes, and the way community, kinship, perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral aspects are cultivated is through common foods, music, dances, language, etc. passed on through generations.

polam

30 Jan 2009

Language / Teaching polish to my baby [6]

Are either of you Polish? Teaching little babies a foreign langauge is pretty much a waste of time unless they get a LOT of exposure

Wow, Mr. Bubbles. That's a little judgmental.

Megpie, if you speak Polish, I am curious why you feel the need for other resources. Couldn't you do just what comes naturally?

polam

31 Jan 2009

Genealogy / Does the name Boleslaw have an English equivalent? [7]

Does the name Boleslaw have an English equivalent? I have been told it could be translated as William. Is that true?

polam

2 Feb 2009

Language / Kaszubian and Polish [11]

I understand that there is some question as to whether Kaszubian is a language unto itself or a dialect of Polish. I am curious of the forum members' thoughts on that.

polam

3 Feb 2009

Language / Kaszubian and Polish [11]

LOL!!! I'm with you, Davey. I can tell the difference and can tell that Kashubian is closer to Polish than Slovak is, but I can't read any of them with any real competence.

It seems, then, that Kashubian is a different language, albeit closely related to Polish (and moreso than Slovak). Thank you all for your input. This is very interesting to me.

polam

9 Jun 2009

News / Does Poland count in Europe or is it ignored? [427]

As an American, I am constantly amazed and humored by the anti-American attitudes on this forum. Poland acts in what it considers to be its own self-interest and it is accused of being an American lackey. Germany and the rest of Europe are supposedly on a higher road!! I have to laugh!! Do you think Germany's attitude toward Russia has anything to do with natural gas? Also, is having a different policy than France and Germany automatically "anti-European?" PlasticPole is right. When France and Germany think European, what they really mean is Western European. What they really want is not the EU, but the WEU.

polam

9 Jun 2009

News / Does Poland count in Europe or is it ignored? [427]

it may very well be that the big ones leave the useless baggage behind and go it alone.

"Useless baggage???" This is exactly the attitude which will be the cause of the EU failing. Frankly, you guys got a lot farther than I ever expected, but I think the wave has crested.