Language / Are the languages of Russian and Polish similar at all? [94]

That's cheating. Ostraváci speak a dialect which sounds more than half Polish to Czech ears ;-)

Language / Rzeczpospolita Polska - translation? [42]


You just don't give up, do you? Rzeczpospolita = Res Publica = republic. End of.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rzeczpospolita

Language / Rzeczpospolita Polska - translation? [42]

Res = thing, object
Publica = public, common

Still, no one talks of the Roman Commonwealth. Why?

Law / CRB checks in Poland? [26]

What sort of schools do you work at?! Also, a CRB check would have not helped things in this case, as the teacher very obviously either a) did his axe trick quite recently or b) was extra good at evading justice until that point.

Study / Psychology in English at University of Warsaw. [9]


A necessary step, it would seem to me. They are the biggest authority on this subject ;-)

Study / Psychology in English at University of Warsaw. [9]

psychology.pl

A short google search does the trick.

News / Pubs in Poznan kick out Roma? [256]


Never mentioned police stations. It must have been someone else. Community interpreting =/= police interpreting.

News / Pubs in Poznan kick out Roma? [256]


Never worked for the Police, Met or otherwise. Or maybe you know more about me than I do?

News / Pubs in Poznan kick out Roma? [256]


???

I have not read this book, though you obviously have.
I have, on the other hand, met and interpreted for lots of Polish Roma in London over a period of several years. Young people and old, progressive and old-fashioned. Some nice, some downright nasty.

Statistics start to build up over time.
Many of them were obviously unwell - and you could see it run in families. Especially diabetes, with epilepsy unfortunately a close second. I have not met so many people officially diagnosed with those two illnesses in my life.

BTW - I have nothing against anyone having children (what you so inelegantly call "breeding"). I have a lot though against marrying off 16-year-old girls and expecting them to start having babies immediately.

News / Pubs in Poznan kick out Roma? [256]


Unfortunately it's true. They are a small ethnic group and seem to share a lot of illnesses. Either that, or they are absolutely freaking fantastic at pretending to have those illnesses, including the little kids. And Harry - it doesn't make them "worse" or anything. I was just pointing out that I don't envy them their life of leisure because they seem to be paying quite a heavy price for it, healthwise.

News / Pubs in Poznan kick out Roma? [256]


I don't particularly. Most of them have diabetes, epilepsy, they are very often morbidly obese, and develop emphysema, heart disease, and similar fun problems in later life; to be frank, I thought they were pretending at first, but how long can you pretend to be diabetic or epileptic once doctors start sending you out for tests and scans? I guess their newly-acquired sedentary, urban lifestyle paired with teen marriages and early pregnancies cannot be too good for them. (Observations based on Polish Roma living in London).

News / Pubs in Poznan kick out Roma? [256]

The Polish homeless at least don't claim that their despicable behaviour is the expression of a "unique way of life" or an "ancient, misunderstood culture".

When they bother you for change, they usually just want a drink.

News / Pubs in Poznan kick out Roma? [256]


A caste system. Girls taken out of education and married off at 13 - 16. A list of "forbidden" jobs (doctor, farmer, dentist, etc). Romanipen - the Gypsy code of behaviour - which sets you apart from the "gajos". The subservient role of women in Romani society. The fact that marrying a gajo effectively means you will be shunned by your family and friends (there are exceptions to this rule, but I spoke to a Roma lady about this and she said it was very much alive still).

Have any of you actually talked to any Roma? Visited them at home? Eaten at their table (not WITH them though, because that would defile them ritually)? Seen how they raise their children?

News / Pubs in Poznan kick out Roma? [256]

Mind my words, guys... You will one day read this and more in a big political manifesto written by our Lodz and you will be very afraid... :-/

Benefit of the entire nation? The good of all? <shudder>

News / Pubs in Poznan kick out Roma? [256]


Sounds great. You are one of the people who call themselves "lovers of humanity" (i.e. you sound like a Stalin or Pol Pot in the making).

News / Pubs in Poznan kick out Roma? [256]


But don't you understand? It's their WAY OF LIFE. They don't want to be trained or educated. They like things just they way they are. Get real for once - go out and start talking to Romas about this. Ask them outright how they feel about you ideals. They'll let you know in no uncertain terms, or maybe they'll just laugh out loud.

Real Estate / Poland Notary Agreement after a purchase of a property - very expensive! [14]


Theoretically, it's for the foreigner's protection. If you misunderstand a legal term or technicality in a contract as a result of the interpreter's blunder, they can be easily traced through the number on their seal, which has to be affixed to the notarial deed or other document along with their signature - and thus be held accountable for any problems which should arise. And as it is not allowed for a sworn translator or interpreter to translate or interpret on their own behalf, they would still need to hire someone to do this for them. I guess this is enforced to ensure objectivity in the proceedings.

Real Estate / Poland Notary Agreement after a purchase of a property - very expensive! [14]


Well, AFAIK travel time IS included in sworn interpreting. OK, this particular person lived nearby - but imagine travelling one hour there and one hour back (in Warsaw for example, if you live in the suburbs), effectively wasting two hours of potential work elsewhere.


The time someone became a sworn translator is neither here nor there. I am a "PRL-trained" translator myself and I don't think I turned out half bad.

On the other hand, it is a vocation and some "interpreters" just shouldn't ever be unleashed on the unsuspecting public.


Simultaneous - WOW. My hat is off to you, sir. My brain is not up to that kinda stuff, I am only capable of consecutive interpreting.


Don't ever put that in quotes! It is a profession and a very difficult one at that. You should know, if you've done it yourself.

BTW - lots of you guys complain about sworn translators, but do you ever do anything about it? Every sworn translator is on a central register and is answerable to the Ministry of Justice. If enough people filed official complaints against unprofessional, bumbling translators, they would get stricken off or would have to re-take their examination or whatever.

Real Estate / Poland Notary Agreement after a purchase of a property - very expensive! [14]


travel time?

Real Estate / Poland Notary Agreement after a purchase of a property - very expensive! [14]


It would be quite reasonable to expect to pay that much for legal advice.

Life / Some Poles have fine houses [68]


Most London houses, and 19th century British terraced chicken coops in general, don't count. They were built cheaply and quickly and it shows. But in PL and most other European countries - brick houses are cosy in winter and cool in summer. And yeah, having central heating does help! ;-)

Life / Some Poles have fine houses [68]


Which road exactly?

Life / Some Poles have fine houses [68]


Since when??? What sort of weird building techniques are you using to bring about such results? I mean seriously - I have lived in brick (and similar) houses all my life and have never felt cold in winter or hot in summer. Contrariwise, to be exact.

Work / Polish schoolteachers are being crushed by the system [24]


Aw c'mon. I used to be a teacher and did not suffer overmuch. I only quit because I quarrelled with the headmaster. Also I personally know a bunch of teachers and I shall not be shedding any tears for them anytime soon - they earn quite a lot and enjoy their work.

Language / Is My Painting Title Correct In Polish? [23]

How about "Sześć stuleci muzyki" (Six Centuries of Music)?

History / If i could write European history i would unite Europe under Polish language [67]


That is all very well, and your summary is interesting and well-written, but please understand that each and every European language could claim the same. There are Latin, Greek, German, French, English, Russian, Italian, Czech, etc etc borrowings in Polish... plus borrowings from faraway cultures such as karibu, amok, kajak, harakiri, nirwana, joga, etc.

History / If i could write European history i would unite Europe under Polish language [67]


Exactly. I don't want to claim here that either language is richer or better or whatnot. I just want to point out that there is no perfect language - and English is not currently an international language because of its rich vocabulary or unique character, but only because its grammar can be simplified to the point of absurdity while still retaining some vestiges of meaning, thus enabling communication between non-native English speakers who have had even a few lessons and carry a dictionary ;-)

Not sure if that is a good thing, but here you are. BTW, Polish as an international language seems unnecessarily cruel to me.

History / If i could write European history i would unite Europe under Polish language [67]


And vice versa. Also, many if not most of those magic words are simply borrowings. Any language can borrow, including Polish! ;-p

Travel / A business trip from Warsaw to Bialystok - transportation? [26]


Maybe they're more intelligent than you think ;-)

Love / Polish girls pretend to be sick and ill most of the time [35]


Your question already holds the answer...