Decided to start out by getting a few phrases together...

I am a big fan of the Polish and have decided to learn the language. I am English, and have decided to start out by getting a few phrases together, look at the Polish spelling, then write out the English phonetic spelling. Actually this is a good thing for me because its so much easier to remember it when its your own words. I've got the Polish words from this site and then run them through a translator program

ivosoftware.com/index.php?option=com_ivonaonline&vo=2&Itemid=38

which actually speaks the words out. I've then used the voice to create phonetic spellings so I can pronounce it.

However, I think the original Polish words are wrong because it looks like letters are missing (keyboard probably didn't have them) so I've now got the wrong sounds from the translator. To be sure, I've posted a few translations and hopefully someone who speaks both English and Polish might be able to straighten me out. Perhaps you can also provide me with an on-line English-Polish dictionary?

HOW ARE YOU

Jak sie masz

Pronounced (english); "Yak Sheay Marsh"?

I AM FINE

mam sie dobrze

Pronounced "mam she dobshear"?

NOT TOO BAD, OK

Tak sobie

Pronounced "Tack Sobia"?

I MISS YOU

Ja pragne ciebie

Pronounced "Ya Pragganer Cheebia"?

Many thanks for your help.

she is not pronounced like in "She (the girl) has the book" but more like shy or shire in a slangy way.

The last tone is the same as in the word "pragne" "pragganer"

OK thanks Sparrow - are you Polish?

So not a bad effort on my part then?

Also, were the original Polish words correct, as I am trying to find the right words to run through that computer translator. That thing really is great.

I'm of Polish decent but don't have the nationality anymore. The words were correct yeah :)
Good luck

Wrong translation, i miss you == tęsknie za tobą or brakuje mi ciebie

for English-Polish dict you may try to use dict.pl

It might be a good idea to invest in a good Polish grammar book with cassettes. There are a few on the market rather than relying on computer translations as you will never really learn the language that way. With so many of the young leaving Poland now it is becoming something of a dead language. Another two hundred years and there will be more Welsh speakers than Polish in the world. If you visit Polish towns now the centres are empty as everybody who can goes abroad to work.

oh now strong statement - I tell you Irish is nearer a dead language than Polish is :)


I may have OVER invested hehe I just need to get the time to sit down and do it

Use byki website. It's a good place to start. You willsee a the words and hear them pronounced. I've just decided to learn the language and I think this is pretty good.