Lyzko
24 Apr 2018
Language / Diminutive help? Wiktoria, MikoĊaj, Elzbieta [9]
And let's not forget "Gosia" < "Gocha"... "Kuba" < "Kubek".
And let's not forget "Gosia" < "Gocha"... "Kuba" < "Kubek".
Lyzko
24 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
@Maf, if not for the bureaucratic efficiency, the Holocaust would never have unfolded as it did. Rwanda also is but another left-wing liberal example of deflecting blame and relativizing the albeite legitimate sufferings of black Africans as comparable with that of the Jews.
Jews were targets because the German masses feared through state propaganda that they might take over the country, thus, they had to be eliminated in order to avert the spread of Communism aka chaos in German minds, given the fiasco of Kurt Eisner's provisional "red" government in 1919 before Erzdorfer took over.
Massacres in Africa were common place, admittedly horrific, but such beggars comparison, I'm sorry.
@Maf, if not for the bureaucratic efficiency, the Holocaust would never have unfolded as it did. Rwanda also is but another left-wing liberal example of deflecting blame and relativizing the albeite legitimate sufferings of black Africans as comparable with that of the Jews.
Jews were targets because the German masses feared through state propaganda that they might take over the country, thus, they had to be eliminated in order to avert the spread of Communism aka chaos in German minds, given the fiasco of Kurt Eisner's provisional "red" government in 1919 before Erzdorfer took over.
Massacres in Africa were common place, admittedly horrific, but such beggars comparison, I'm sorry.
Lyzko
23 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
Is the latter situation though really analogous?? The Holocaust represents a kind of watershed, a cataclysmic rupture with civilization as we knew it. destroying notions of right and wrong as heretofore understood, a veritable sui generis, as I've stated before.
"Moving on" is something only possible on an individual, rather than on a national, level.
Is the latter situation though really analogous?? The Holocaust represents a kind of watershed, a cataclysmic rupture with civilization as we knew it. destroying notions of right and wrong as heretofore understood, a veritable sui generis, as I've stated before.
"Moving on" is something only possible on an individual, rather than on a national, level.
Lyzko
23 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
Exactly, TheOther! They sought to avoid, sweep under the rug, whatever they had in order to circumvent honest confrontation. Yet, one cannot deny that the wailing cries of "We Germans suffered much too!", were never far below the surface either.
My last visit to Germany was several years ago. My first, was as an exchange Grad student in 1985. When I arrived there having never been there before, fellow students bombarded me with questions about America's "double standard" re: slaves and Native Americans. I wasn't able to give an answer then, but when asked a similar question by some aggressive Komilliton (student council rep) some fifteen years later, my response was much as it is now, namely, that the two situations are incongruous and bear zero comparison to one another.
Exactly, TheOther! They sought to avoid, sweep under the rug, whatever they had in order to circumvent honest confrontation. Yet, one cannot deny that the wailing cries of "We Germans suffered much too!", were never far below the surface either.
My last visit to Germany was several years ago. My first, was as an exchange Grad student in 1985. When I arrived there having never been there before, fellow students bombarded me with questions about America's "double standard" re: slaves and Native Americans. I wasn't able to give an answer then, but when asked a similar question by some aggressive Komilliton (student council rep) some fifteen years later, my response was much as it is now, namely, that the two situations are incongruous and bear zero comparison to one another.
Lyzko
22 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
Doubtless, talk at home revolved around German victimhood and similar self-pitying themes. It's only human. The fewest of the few were somehow in a position to rise above daily talk and see the war from the Allied point of view. I know scores of Germans over the years, my age (58) and those born right before the end of the war. Culpable they surely couldn't be, tainted by the world around them, most assuredly....and they all admit to it openly!!
Doubtless, talk at home revolved around German victimhood and similar self-pitying themes. It's only human. The fewest of the few were somehow in a position to rise above daily talk and see the war from the Allied point of view. I know scores of Germans over the years, my age (58) and those born right before the end of the war. Culpable they surely couldn't be, tainted by the world around them, most assuredly....and they all admit to it openly!!
Lyzko
22 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
Once again, maf, as you seem a highly intelligent sort, read Dr. Mitscherlich's book (long available in English) and get back to me about it! It will explain lots about the whole "German problem" from a psychiatrist's point of view, himself the son of a virulent Nazi father. Most of your questions, value judgements etc. will really be elucidated by this thickish, indeed emotionally painful, volume.
Once again, maf, as you seem a highly intelligent sort, read Dr. Mitscherlich's book (long available in English) and get back to me about it! It will explain lots about the whole "German problem" from a psychiatrist's point of view, himself the son of a virulent Nazi father. Most of your questions, value judgements etc. will really be elucidated by this thickish, indeed emotionally painful, volume.
Lyzko
22 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
@Maf, and for the bazillionth time, Germany continues to exist in the shadows of her Nazi past, I don't frankly care who says different!! Trying to live down, literally "unlive", [now, not so] recent history might well prove impossible until the last ethnic German born pre-'45 is dead and buried. Not likely to happen any time soon, I'll say that much.
@Tacitus,
I fear a wee bit of public relations in your response, although to be honest, I can't say as I blame you! Anyone born from a tainted well, is factually unable to ingest completely filtered water, no matter how hard they may try. So long as members of your and your fellow countrymen's family retain an inkling of wartime indoctrination, all hope is essentially lost, I'm afraid, for a totally UNtainted generation to grow up on heretofore poisoned soil! We're talking here at a conservative estimate about at least three to four generations, roughly a period of some seventy-five years.
@Maf, and for the bazillionth time, Germany continues to exist in the shadows of her Nazi past, I don't frankly care who says different!! Trying to live down, literally "unlive", [now, not so] recent history might well prove impossible until the last ethnic German born pre-'45 is dead and buried. Not likely to happen any time soon, I'll say that much.
@Tacitus,
I fear a wee bit of public relations in your response, although to be honest, I can't say as I blame you! Anyone born from a tainted well, is factually unable to ingest completely filtered water, no matter how hard they may try. So long as members of your and your fellow countrymen's family retain an inkling of wartime indoctrination, all hope is essentially lost, I'm afraid, for a totally UNtainted generation to grow up on heretofore poisoned soil! We're talking here at a conservative estimate about at least three to four generations, roughly a period of some seventy-five years.
Lyzko
22 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
Germany's changing. Apparently, an uncomfortably vocal majority refuse to change with it and accept the plain fact that diversity has already come to Germany and is there to stay, at least for the forseeable future!
Simply integrate those newcomers ready, willing, and above all, ABLE, to be integrated and send the rest back. Better still, don't allow them in in the first place.
This too can serve as a template for any diversity-challenged societies, including Britain, France, Sweden or Poland as well:-)
Germany's changing. Apparently, an uncomfortably vocal majority refuse to change with it and accept the plain fact that diversity has already come to Germany and is there to stay, at least for the forseeable future!
Simply integrate those newcomers ready, willing, and above all, ABLE, to be integrated and send the rest back. Better still, don't allow them in in the first place.
This too can serve as a template for any diversity-challenged societies, including Britain, France, Sweden or Poland as well:-)
Lyzko
19 Apr 2018
UK, Ireland / Mixed feelings after moving from Poland to England [36]
Nonetheless, it's clearly the most important! Maybe on the surface level, Poles, Germans, Swedes etc. seem to communicate "fluently" in English, once the novelty wears off (generally sooner rather than later in this man's experience), newbies LIVING, and not just visiting, abroad, will eventually thank their lucky stars that they made an effort to learn the target language.
Nonetheless, it's clearly the most important! Maybe on the surface level, Poles, Germans, Swedes etc. seem to communicate "fluently" in English, once the novelty wears off (generally sooner rather than later in this man's experience), newbies LIVING, and not just visiting, abroad, will eventually thank their lucky stars that they made an effort to learn the target language.
Lyzko
19 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
Gotta agree with Tacitus on that point, anyway. Certainly, hopefully, Germany will never lose her inbred sense of social conscience. Where many countries have started to sell out to "American values", among them Sweden (for purely economic reasons, no doubt), Merkel maintains her feeling of civic duty, huge blunders in policy notwithstanding:-)
Gotta agree with Tacitus on that point, anyway. Certainly, hopefully, Germany will never lose her inbred sense of social conscience. Where many countries have started to sell out to "American values", among them Sweden (for purely economic reasons, no doubt), Merkel maintains her feeling of civic duty, huge blunders in policy notwithstanding:-)
Lyzko
19 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
@maf, the grammar's far from "wonky" in fact, and unfortunately, you're right. The decades of an imposed liberal agenda and feeling forced to squelch their true feelings about, what have been termed the 'positive' (LOL) side of Nazi Germany, proved in the end too much for Merkel's vocal, right-wing opposition.
@maf, the grammar's far from "wonky" in fact, and unfortunately, you're right. The decades of an imposed liberal agenda and feeling forced to squelch their true feelings about, what have been termed the 'positive' (LOL) side of Nazi Germany, proved in the end too much for Merkel's vocal, right-wing opposition.
Lyzko
19 Apr 2018
UK, Ireland / Mixed feelings after moving from Poland to England [36]
@grufferator,
You did finally realize though that integrating into any society and learning the language are one and the same, am I right?
@grufferator,
You did finally realize though that integrating into any society and learning the language are one and the same, am I right?
Lyzko
18 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
Merkel has hit a wall of what some term "empathy fatigue" on the part of many fellow countrymen. Could eternal breast beating, sackloth and ashes be Germany's punishment for unleashing WWII?
I'd like to think not, but then, that's only my humble opinion.
Merkel has hit a wall of what some term "empathy fatigue" on the part of many fellow countrymen. Could eternal breast beating, sackloth and ashes be Germany's punishment for unleashing WWII?
I'd like to think not, but then, that's only my humble opinion.
Lyzko
17 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
The term with which you glibly label "national neurosis" ought to be applied super sparingly. Read Dr. Mitscherlich's "The Inability To Mourn" (1967) to understand what you want to say.
The term with which you glibly label "national neurosis" ought to be applied super sparingly. Read Dr. Mitscherlich's "The Inability To Mourn" (1967) to understand what you want to say.
Lyzko
17 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
Singing war-time German marches or even hiking songs still will draw serious fire in the Federal Republic today.
Singing war-time German marches or even hiking songs still will draw serious fire in the Federal Republic today.
Lyzko
16 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
Yes, exactly.
Germany, more than any European country I can think of, even in the rest of the world, has justifiedly had serious issues with overt displays of nationalism. This is just a no-brainer, given her tortured history!
When I was in Germany for the first time, I too would have felt strange seeing the flag displayed openly in public, as compared to France, Poland, Denmark, the UK, and of course, the States, except naturally at certain sporting events, namely the World Cup Soccer Matches.
Germany's shame seems to run deeper than the above countries I mentioned. It's almost as provocative as brazenly waving the Confederate Flag here in the States in front of an official Southern building; it's only meant to incite hatred and fear.
Yes, exactly.
Germany, more than any European country I can think of, even in the rest of the world, has justifiedly had serious issues with overt displays of nationalism. This is just a no-brainer, given her tortured history!
When I was in Germany for the first time, I too would have felt strange seeing the flag displayed openly in public, as compared to France, Poland, Denmark, the UK, and of course, the States, except naturally at certain sporting events, namely the World Cup Soccer Matches.
Germany's shame seems to run deeper than the above countries I mentioned. It's almost as provocative as brazenly waving the Confederate Flag here in the States in front of an official Southern building; it's only meant to incite hatred and fear.
Lyzko
15 Apr 2018
History / Do Prussians still remain in Poland? [33]
Perhaps, but Kohl relied naturally on Genscher's sagacity and foreign policy negotiating skills! If Genscher's gamble had failed, his "boss" would probably never have forgiven him! As you recall, when Reagan uttered his now famous sentence "Mr. Gorbatschow, tear down this wall!" - Herr Gorbatschow, reissen Sie diese Mauer ab!, he had little encouragement from his Secretary of State. The US was very cool concerning detente or reproachment politics with either Moscow or Berlin.
Perhaps, but Kohl relied naturally on Genscher's sagacity and foreign policy negotiating skills! If Genscher's gamble had failed, his "boss" would probably never have forgiven him! As you recall, when Reagan uttered his now famous sentence "Mr. Gorbatschow, tear down this wall!" - Herr Gorbatschow, reissen Sie diese Mauer ab!, he had little encouragement from his Secretary of State. The US was very cool concerning detente or reproachment politics with either Moscow or Berlin.
Lyzko
15 Apr 2018
History / Do Prussians still remain in Poland? [33]
Hear, hear Tacitus!
I myself was also in Cottbus (of your well known children's rhymeLOL) and found it a charming place. Much of that Mark landscape is restful and beautiful as well:-)
As regards West German money, many in the former East still complaining about their richer cousins to the West, are well advised to consider that without a little push from a certain gentleman from Halle, Mr. Genscher, both Messrs. Reagan and Gorbatschow would probably not been able to convince then Chancellor Kohl that German re-unification was even desirable, much less doable.
Hear, hear Tacitus!
I myself was also in Cottbus (of your well known children's rhymeLOL) and found it a charming place. Much of that Mark landscape is restful and beautiful as well:-)
As regards West German money, many in the former East still complaining about their richer cousins to the West, are well advised to consider that without a little push from a certain gentleman from Halle, Mr. Genscher, both Messrs. Reagan and Gorbatschow would probably not been able to convince then Chancellor Kohl that German re-unification was even desirable, much less doable.
Lyzko
15 Apr 2018
News / "It's too late for Germany" (but not for Poland) [1798]
It's Hoyerswerda all over again.
Same playbook, different locale!
It's Hoyerswerda all over again.
Same playbook, different locale!
Lyzko
14 Apr 2018
History / Do Prussians still remain in Poland? [33]
Lausitz, thank you very much! And she's very much independent already, Mr. Crow.
Lausitz, thank you very much! And she's very much independent already, Mr. Crow.
Lyzko
14 Apr 2018
History / Do Prussians still remain in Poland? [33]
Partly right, I have to admit, but only "Drang nach Osten" was more a late 19. century nationalist concept, later exploited of course by the Nazis, which justified Germans (re-)conquering former Teutonic territories in the East, later expropriated (in their words) by the Slavs, but now to be (rightfully!!!) settled by Germans.
Not too dissimilar in spirit to the US "Manifest Destiny" during the heyday of the American West, when it was seen as America's mission to forcibly settle Western areas occupied by Native Americans, but intended for White-European Americans:-)
Partly right, I have to admit, but only "Drang nach Osten" was more a late 19. century nationalist concept, later exploited of course by the Nazis, which justified Germans (re-)conquering former Teutonic territories in the East, later expropriated (in their words) by the Slavs, but now to be (rightfully!!!) settled by Germans.
Not too dissimilar in spirit to the US "Manifest Destiny" during the heyday of the American West, when it was seen as America's mission to forcibly settle Western areas occupied by Native Americans, but intended for White-European Americans:-)
Lyzko
14 Apr 2018
Lyzko
12 Apr 2018
Love / "I wait for you" - American Guy With Polish Girl Question [9]
Pleasure was mine entirely! Language helps bridge all gaps.
Pleasure was mine entirely! Language helps bridge all gaps.
Lyzko
12 Apr 2018
Love / "I wait for you" - American Guy With Polish Girl Question [9]
Czekam na Cie(bie). = I'm waiting for you. "I wait for you." sounds a bit like a translation, quite frankly.
Poczekam na Ciebie. = I will wait/I will be waiting for you. The second has more of a future connotation.
Czekam na Cie(bie). = I'm waiting for you. "I wait for you." sounds a bit like a translation, quite frankly.
Poczekam na Ciebie. = I will wait/I will be waiting for you. The second has more of a future connotation.
Lyzko
8 Apr 2018
Language / Help with Polish language - I'm confused by the noun change when a negation is added - genitive case [5]
Right, maf!
@Suze, the genitive in Polish acts rather like adding "much"/"many", "how much/many of" in English. The difference is that Polish doesn't always make the same
distinction between singular and plural as in English, the reason why Poles often say or write, "We have much of forests in Poland.." or similar transference errors.
Right, maf!
@Suze, the genitive in Polish acts rather like adding "much"/"many", "how much/many of" in English. The difference is that Polish doesn't always make the same
distinction between singular and plural as in English, the reason why Poles often say or write, "We have much of forests in Poland.." or similar transference errors.
Lyzko
8 Apr 2018
Travel / I'm Spanish, next week I'm going to be at Warsaw and Kielce, help! [21]
@dolno, I fail to see the connection here. As I've said before, I love the Polish language, cuisine, cinema, (only the classics though) and literature. How much more convincing do you need, for pity's sake!
@dolno, I fail to see the connection here. As I've said before, I love the Polish language, cuisine, cinema, (only the classics though) and literature. How much more convincing do you need, for pity's sake!
Lyzko
7 Apr 2018
Travel / I'm Spanish, next week I'm going to be at Warsaw and Kielce, help! [21]
Every individual's experience is always an education!
As far as one's attitude is concerned, I've been told by people that I am especially "Jewish-looking", and yet in all my years in Germany as an American, I never had a single predicted incident of either xenophobia or anti-Semitism directed as much as once at my person. Others I know mentioned how they'd never return to that country because they found the people rude, bigoted, and uncooperative. I found the Germans in my direction only acquiescent, helpful and not condescending or arrogant in the least, that is, on a personal level.
In the case of the former, I hasten to add that none of those in question spoke German:-)
Often, it is next to impossible to anticipate what someone will find when visiting or living in a new environment.
Every individual's experience is always an education!
As far as one's attitude is concerned, I've been told by people that I am especially "Jewish-looking", and yet in all my years in Germany as an American, I never had a single predicted incident of either xenophobia or anti-Semitism directed as much as once at my person. Others I know mentioned how they'd never return to that country because they found the people rude, bigoted, and uncooperative. I found the Germans in my direction only acquiescent, helpful and not condescending or arrogant in the least, that is, on a personal level.
In the case of the former, I hasten to add that none of those in question spoke German:-)
Often, it is next to impossible to anticipate what someone will find when visiting or living in a new environment.
Lyzko
6 Apr 2018
Genealogy / Slavs are descendants of Sarmatians? [600]
I was right then about St. George and the dragon. Goodie!
I was right then about St. George and the dragon. Goodie!
Lyzko
4 Apr 2018
Genealogy / Slavs are descendants of Sarmatians? [600]
St. George. Wasn't he the bloke who slew the dragon?
St. George. Wasn't he the bloke who slew the dragon?
Lyzko
3 Apr 2018