Lyzko
31 Oct 2017
Law / Buying a car in Poland or Germany? [36]
I'd probably opt for Germany based upon what I've been told.
I'd probably opt for Germany based upon what I've been told.
Lyzko
30 Oct 2017
History / Adam Mickiewicz. What is his motherland: Poland or Lithuania? [93]
Again, Polish by birth (in the country which raised him for the first seventeen or so years of his life) as Mickiewicz was Polish, despite having been by sheer happenstance born in present-day Lithuania! The difference here is that Mickiewicz' mother tongue was Polish, not Lithuanian, as Conrad's first language was Polish instead of English. Yet the latter made the English language his own and is still regarded as a master stylist in his SECOND LANGUAGE!!
How many writers can say that?
Granted, there are uncounted "bilingual" writers, Salman Rushdie among them etc.
Franz Kafka though provides an interesting example of a writer born in a country in which the first language was NOT the writer's sole and primary language of literary expression:-) While he surely knew Czech, he is and always will be regarded as a GERMAN-language author, also apart of the literary canon in which he WROTE, regardless of where he was born:-)
Again, Polish by birth (in the country which raised him for the first seventeen or so years of his life) as Mickiewicz was Polish, despite having been by sheer happenstance born in present-day Lithuania! The difference here is that Mickiewicz' mother tongue was Polish, not Lithuanian, as Conrad's first language was Polish instead of English. Yet the latter made the English language his own and is still regarded as a master stylist in his SECOND LANGUAGE!!
How many writers can say that?
Granted, there are uncounted "bilingual" writers, Salman Rushdie among them etc.
Franz Kafka though provides an interesting example of a writer born in a country in which the first language was NOT the writer's sole and primary language of literary expression:-) While he surely knew Czech, he is and always will be regarded as a GERMAN-language author, also apart of the literary canon in which he WROTE, regardless of where he was born:-)
Lyzko
30 Oct 2017
History / Adam Mickiewicz. What is his motherland: Poland or Lithuania? [93]
...by birth only, by predeliction (despite ministrations of homesickness), ENGLISH!
...by birth only, by predeliction (despite ministrations of homesickness), ENGLISH!
Lyzko
30 Oct 2017
History / Adam Mickiewicz. What is his motherland: Poland or Lithuania? [93]
The man wrote in Polish and is firmly ensconced in the Polish literary canon! Although Joseph Conrad wasn't born in England and only came there while still a young seaman, he wrote only in English, therefore is considered English to the bone:-)
The man wrote in Polish and is firmly ensconced in the Polish literary canon! Although Joseph Conrad wasn't born in England and only came there while still a young seaman, he wrote only in English, therefore is considered English to the bone:-)
Lyzko
30 Oct 2017
Language / Polish pronounciation of: cz vs ć/ci, sz vs ś/si, ź vs ż and dż vs dź/dzi - how to make these sound diff [79]
Polish is admittedly, at least phonetically/phonologically, intricate. Then again, the English Orthographic Nightmare is proverbial!
Polish is admittedly, at least phonetically/phonologically, intricate. Then again, the English Orthographic Nightmare is proverbial!
Lyzko
29 Oct 2017
Language / Polish pronounciation of: cz vs ć/ci, sz vs ś/si, ź vs ż and dż vs dź/dzi - how to make these sound diff [79]
As an example. I nearly forgot "miekki":-)
Thanks, gumishu!
As an example. I nearly forgot "miekki":-)
Thanks, gumishu!
Lyzko
29 Oct 2017
History / Adam Mickiewicz. What is his motherland: Poland or Lithuania? [93]
Many of the borders of Europe at the time changed hands so often, one could literally get dizzy:-) Today's Lithuania, formerly under Soviet hegemony, might well have fallen under Polish dominance during Mickiewicz' time! I too have examined maps from the mid-19th century and they all point to constant battles between neighboring countries, both verbal as well as military:-)
Many of the borders of Europe at the time changed hands so often, one could literally get dizzy:-) Today's Lithuania, formerly under Soviet hegemony, might well have fallen under Polish dominance during Mickiewicz' time! I too have examined maps from the mid-19th century and they all point to constant battles between neighboring countries, both verbal as well as military:-)
Lyzko
28 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
Always easy to blame "foreigners" alone, even en masse, for whichever misfortune du jour happens to be afflicting society at the present time!
In the US of yore, it was the Italians, "destroying" the rule of law, Sacco & Vanzetti who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (avowed anarchists though they were), later the Lindbergh kidnapping and once again, the common enemy from abroad, we made Bruno Richard Hauptmann, an unemployed contractor with a sour puss and thick German accent, the fall guy for killing America's darling couple. The fact that Sacco & Vanzetti and Hauptmann were white Christians didn't mean a thing. Finally, a German-speaking madman from Braunau am Inn blamed the Jews for crime, disease, chaos, and unrest throughout his country.
And so today, we pick on the alien as the root of AIDS, unemployment, discontent, fear along with the usual suspects.
Don't think a similar Holocaust can't happen again, because it can...probably sooner than we think!!
Always easy to blame "foreigners" alone, even en masse, for whichever misfortune du jour happens to be afflicting society at the present time!
In the US of yore, it was the Italians, "destroying" the rule of law, Sacco & Vanzetti who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (avowed anarchists though they were), later the Lindbergh kidnapping and once again, the common enemy from abroad, we made Bruno Richard Hauptmann, an unemployed contractor with a sour puss and thick German accent, the fall guy for killing America's darling couple. The fact that Sacco & Vanzetti and Hauptmann were white Christians didn't mean a thing. Finally, a German-speaking madman from Braunau am Inn blamed the Jews for crime, disease, chaos, and unrest throughout his country.
And so today, we pick on the alien as the root of AIDS, unemployment, discontent, fear along with the usual suspects.
Don't think a similar Holocaust can't happen again, because it can...probably sooner than we think!!
Lyzko
28 Oct 2017
Language / Polish pronounciation of: cz vs ć/ci, sz vs ś/si, ź vs ż and dż vs dź/dzi - how to make these sound diff [79]
The "soft" sign ("mekki" in Polish), precisely, as opposed to the "hard" sign.
The "soft" sign ("mekki" in Polish), precisely, as opposed to the "hard" sign.
Lyzko
27 Oct 2017
Language / Polish pronounciation of: cz vs ć/ci, sz vs ś/si, ź vs ż and dż vs dź/dzi - how to make these sound diff [79]
Polish though HAS a "mnaki znak" in everyday words such as "panstwo", "lan" etc., yet no "twardy znak", both borrowings of course from Russian:-) Put more like a linguist rather than a lay person, Polish doesn't represent either of these two sounds as a separate letter in their alphabet!
Polish though HAS a "mnaki znak" in everyday words such as "panstwo", "lan" etc., yet no "twardy znak", both borrowings of course from Russian:-) Put more like a linguist rather than a lay person, Polish doesn't represent either of these two sounds as a separate letter in their alphabet!
Lyzko
27 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
Czech Rep. too is swinging right, with Svoboda going whole hog against random immigrants. Scary times for all Europe right now, particularly bad times for democracy.
Czech Rep. too is swinging right, with Svoboda going whole hog against random immigrants. Scary times for all Europe right now, particularly bad times for democracy.
Lyzko
26 Oct 2017
Language / Polish pronounciation of: cz vs ć/ci, sz vs ś/si, ź vs ż and dż vs dź/dzi - how to make these sound diff [79]
As many Poles don't hear a difference between "bit" vs. "beat", because of the long and short vowel sounds in English:-)
For that matter, I can't say how many times my Russian teacher tried to get me to hear the distinction between "brat" (brother) and
"brat' " (to take), and yet I never could quite pronounce it as a Russian native speaker!
As many Poles don't hear a difference between "bit" vs. "beat", because of the long and short vowel sounds in English:-)
For that matter, I can't say how many times my Russian teacher tried to get me to hear the distinction between "brat" (brother) and
"brat' " (to take), and yet I never could quite pronounce it as a Russian native speaker!
Lyzko
25 Oct 2017
Language / Polish pronounciation of: cz vs ć/ci, sz vs ś/si, ź vs ż and dż vs dź/dzi - how to make these sound diff [79]
Exactly, which is what gives Russian especially, Polish also, their particular palatal quality:-)
Exactly, which is what gives Russian especially, Polish also, their particular palatal quality:-)
Lyzko
25 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
Open border DON'T work, this is true! But why punish the innocent, the honest opportunity seekers along with the guilty, the leaches, low lives and criminal types who would indeed do harm to the country??
Dealing with difficult populations is, well, difficult! However, is a return to exterminationist policies any better?!
Open border DON'T work, this is true! But why punish the innocent, the honest opportunity seekers along with the guilty, the leaches, low lives and criminal types who would indeed do harm to the country??
Dealing with difficult populations is, well, difficult! However, is a return to exterminationist policies any better?!
Lyzko
25 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
Selectivity. my friend. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater!
Selectivity. my friend. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater!
Lyzko
25 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
@Atch, what began as a ragamuffin movement by an ill-educated loudmouth eventually turned into the Second World War!!
Sp much for "histrionics":-)
@Atch, what began as a ragamuffin movement by an ill-educated loudmouth eventually turned into the Second World War!!
Sp much for "histrionics":-)
Lyzko
24 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
SigSauer, economics always dictates policy! Were the countries you mention either as large or as well off as major industrial (above all, CAPITALIST!!) societies, such as the US, Germany, Sweden etc. which clearly are no longer strictly socialist nations as they once were pre-Bush, I'm certain that South Korea and China would be forced by sheer necessity to allow, if not exactly "welcome" migrants in in order to fill their workforce.
Your argument though doesn't take these differences into account, for my money!
SigSauer, economics always dictates policy! Were the countries you mention either as large or as well off as major industrial (above all, CAPITALIST!!) societies, such as the US, Germany, Sweden etc. which clearly are no longer strictly socialist nations as they once were pre-Bush, I'm certain that South Korea and China would be forced by sheer necessity to allow, if not exactly "welcome" migrants in in order to fill their workforce.
Your argument though doesn't take these differences into account, for my money!
Lyzko
24 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
Yes, and despite my pleas for tolerance, I am the first to admit that Merkelmania allowed the Syrians into Germany in the first place, never as much as allowing for a general European plebiscite so that the CITIZENS, rather than simply Germany or Bruxelles should decide for everybody else:-)
Yes, and despite my pleas for tolerance, I am the first to admit that Merkelmania allowed the Syrians into Germany in the first place, never as much as allowing for a general European plebiscite so that the CITIZENS, rather than simply Germany or Bruxelles should decide for everybody else:-)
Lyzko
24 Oct 2017
News / Polish-German Reconcilliation Seminar [491]
How true, Dirk, which is why, as you know from reading my posts, I become so annoyed here when certain members continually speak of Poland as though she were still the proverbial backwater, subservient to her larger neighbors to the West and North!
How true, Dirk, which is why, as you know from reading my posts, I become so annoyed here when certain members continually speak of Poland as though she were still the proverbial backwater, subservient to her larger neighbors to the West and North!
Lyzko
24 Oct 2017
Language / Polish pronounciation of: cz vs ć/ci, sz vs ś/si, ź vs ż and dż vs dź/dzi - how to make these sound diff [79]
Exactly, Chemnikiem. This is why Anglo-Saxons especially often have tremendous difficulties pronouncing Polish, as English for example typically elides sounds and barely pronounces the final or medial schwa-sounds in words such as "evening". The latter is always represented in the IPA as a "backwards "e" " in second position, said though by the average Polish native English learner as "iivenink" instead of "E-E-V'-N-I-N-G", which requires a voiced final struent rather than the devoicing of final consonants!
Exactly, Chemnikiem. This is why Anglo-Saxons especially often have tremendous difficulties pronouncing Polish, as English for example typically elides sounds and barely pronounces the final or medial schwa-sounds in words such as "evening". The latter is always represented in the IPA as a "backwards "e" " in second position, said though by the average Polish native English learner as "iivenink" instead of "E-E-V'-N-I-N-G", which requires a voiced final struent rather than the devoicing of final consonants!
Lyzko
24 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
There's a difference between what you glibly term "liberal tree huggers" vs. out-and-out Neo-Nazis! Once the Jews were demonized throughout Christian Europe. today, it's the Muslims. tomorrow, perhaps transgender multi-racial children.
Calling a halt now, makes enlightening the rest of a recalcitrant population easier tomorrow.
There's a difference between what you glibly term "liberal tree huggers" vs. out-and-out Neo-Nazis! Once the Jews were demonized throughout Christian Europe. today, it's the Muslims. tomorrow, perhaps transgender multi-racial children.
Calling a halt now, makes enlightening the rest of a recalcitrant population easier tomorrow.
Lyzko
24 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
@Spiritus
Again, in the long run, there's neither the "liberal path" nor "the right-wing conservative" path, but instead, the humane path! All nations must seriously and thoroughly re-examine their ideologies as to what makes for the universally contented and truly happy society, as well as who should make up that society.
Even if neighbors dislike the increased presence of darker-skinned, non-native German-speaking Muslims in their midst, there should no reason to act out, with blatant hatred or violence or both. Here is where churches along with synagogues must play a role, distasteful, perhaps avoidable, as these societal changes may be perceived, in social and religious outreach in order that fellow Austrians see that G_d doesn't discriminate based on race, color or creed.
The liberal intellectual "straitjacket" as she'd sometime referred to is no less toxic than the rabidly reactionary cloak of invulnerability.
@Spiritus
Again, in the long run, there's neither the "liberal path" nor "the right-wing conservative" path, but instead, the humane path! All nations must seriously and thoroughly re-examine their ideologies as to what makes for the universally contented and truly happy society, as well as who should make up that society.
Even if neighbors dislike the increased presence of darker-skinned, non-native German-speaking Muslims in their midst, there should no reason to act out, with blatant hatred or violence or both. Here is where churches along with synagogues must play a role, distasteful, perhaps avoidable, as these societal changes may be perceived, in social and religious outreach in order that fellow Austrians see that G_d doesn't discriminate based on race, color or creed.
The liberal intellectual "straitjacket" as she'd sometime referred to is no less toxic than the rabidly reactionary cloak of invulnerability.
Lyzko
24 Oct 2017
News / Polish-German Reconcilliation Seminar [491]
Germany remains the economic engine of Europe, like her or not, and has much to contribute, guilty as she certainly has been of throwing her weight around.
Germany remains the economic engine of Europe, like her or not, and has much to contribute, guilty as she certainly has been of throwing her weight around.
Lyzko
24 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
@Spiritus, have you never heard of cloaking a potentially dangerous agenda behind safe-sounding, soft words?? Unlike the late Joerg Haider, Kurz wanted to win his constituants by wooing, rather than simply scaring them into submission. He remembered that old Austrian proverb "Mit Speck faengt man Maeuse" or loosely translated, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
Nearly every so-called racist, bigot of this new age will couch harmful and hateful rhetoric behind a comforting self-image,be it that chap Murray here in the states, proving that blacks are mentally inferior, but by using supposed stats to back up his so-called "research". If a normally bitter pill is coated with sugar, one is more likely to swallow it.
During WWII, Hitler actually convinced the foreign press that he was a man of peace, using skillfully effective propaganda (with the help of Leni Riefenstahl and others) and fooled among others Chamberlain, the American Legion which visited Germany after 1933 on a brief tour, even Roosevelt, at least for a while.
The Jews too were lulled into believing they were going on a holiday, being "resettled" and then deloused upon arrival by the promise of a nice, relaxing shower.
Watch what they do, not what they say:-)
@Spiritus, have you never heard of cloaking a potentially dangerous agenda behind safe-sounding, soft words?? Unlike the late Joerg Haider, Kurz wanted to win his constituants by wooing, rather than simply scaring them into submission. He remembered that old Austrian proverb "Mit Speck faengt man Maeuse" or loosely translated, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
Nearly every so-called racist, bigot of this new age will couch harmful and hateful rhetoric behind a comforting self-image,be it that chap Murray here in the states, proving that blacks are mentally inferior, but by using supposed stats to back up his so-called "research". If a normally bitter pill is coated with sugar, one is more likely to swallow it.
During WWII, Hitler actually convinced the foreign press that he was a man of peace, using skillfully effective propaganda (with the help of Leni Riefenstahl and others) and fooled among others Chamberlain, the American Legion which visited Germany after 1933 on a brief tour, even Roosevelt, at least for a while.
The Jews too were lulled into believing they were going on a holiday, being "resettled" and then deloused upon arrival by the promise of a nice, relaxing shower.
Watch what they do, not what they say:-)
Lyzko
23 Oct 2017
News / Polish-German Reconcilliation Seminar [491]
Sadly though, any attempts on Germany's or any other country's part sans military presence (if not direct involvement) is dillusional! I've head all the arguments heretofore, Ironside. "No, Germany lost the Big One big time but won the peace through her economic dominance of Europe almost single-handedly!" etc. ad nauseum.
Ahemmm, only partly true. Germany continues to exist in Hitler's shadow, long, long after 1945, and has suffered psychically ever since.
Perhaps being bled dry serves as their eternal punishment.
As for morning meds, man, go take a freakin' pill yourselfLOL
Sadly though, any attempts on Germany's or any other country's part sans military presence (if not direct involvement) is dillusional! I've head all the arguments heretofore, Ironside. "No, Germany lost the Big One big time but won the peace through her economic dominance of Europe almost single-handedly!" etc. ad nauseum.
Ahemmm, only partly true. Germany continues to exist in Hitler's shadow, long, long after 1945, and has suffered psychically ever since.
Perhaps being bled dry serves as their eternal punishment.
As for morning meds, man, go take a freakin' pill yourselfLOL
Lyzko
23 Oct 2017
Classifieds / Trying to learn Polish language in Bialystok [16]
Not a bad idea either, yet, like Volapuek along with a few other such attempts, it never really caught on, relegated sadly to Esperanto societies world wide with little practical application!
Today's "universal" language (of merry miscommunication!) is, of course, English aka Globish, aka "Worldlish" aka........
Not a bad idea either, yet, like Volapuek along with a few other such attempts, it never really caught on, relegated sadly to Esperanto societies world wide with little practical application!
Today's "universal" language (of merry miscommunication!) is, of course, English aka Globish, aka "Worldlish" aka........
Lyzko
23 Oct 2017
Classifieds / Trying to learn Polish language in Bialystok [16]
Perhaps his Jewish origins fell into disfavor around the time of WWII. As throughout much of Europe at the time, Jewish contributions were singularly either belittled or linked to Christianity, to the extent that they became disconnected from their Jewish roots, e.g. Heinrich Heine, author of "Die Lorelei" as iconically German as one can get, known from 1933-'45 as "anonymous poet" aka "Dichter unbekannt". Felix Mendelssohn who founded Leipzig's world famous Gewandhaus Orchestra was barely mentioned in textbooks of the war period, and if at all, solely under his "baptismal" name "Felix Bartholdy"!
Perhaps his Jewish origins fell into disfavor around the time of WWII. As throughout much of Europe at the time, Jewish contributions were singularly either belittled or linked to Christianity, to the extent that they became disconnected from their Jewish roots, e.g. Heinrich Heine, author of "Die Lorelei" as iconically German as one can get, known from 1933-'45 as "anonymous poet" aka "Dichter unbekannt". Felix Mendelssohn who founded Leipzig's world famous Gewandhaus Orchestra was barely mentioned in textbooks of the war period, and if at all, solely under his "baptismal" name "Felix Bartholdy"!
Lyzko
23 Oct 2017
Classifieds / Trying to learn Polish language in Bialystok [16]
Maybe learning Esperanto in his honor might be the best tribute:-)
Maybe learning Esperanto in his honor might be the best tribute:-)
Lyzko
23 Oct 2017
News / Polish-German Reconcilliation Seminar [491]
I think that a German military presence is a needed one! I mean, it's finally time, long overdue, to my mind, that Germany assert herself on the global scene. It's unhealthy for any nation to remain mired in the past, no matter how "recent" or how disturbing. In order for Germany to develop, for her citizens, particularly her youngest citizens, to grow, it is critical for them to play an active. and not merely an observer, role to insure democracy. This is all part of any country doing her bit in order to participate actively on the world stage.
I think that a German military presence is a needed one! I mean, it's finally time, long overdue, to my mind, that Germany assert herself on the global scene. It's unhealthy for any nation to remain mired in the past, no matter how "recent" or how disturbing. In order for Germany to develop, for her citizens, particularly her youngest citizens, to grow, it is critical for them to play an active. and not merely an observer, role to insure democracy. This is all part of any country doing her bit in order to participate actively on the world stage.
Lyzko
22 Oct 2017
News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]
"Britain did need Europe in 1972 when she joined...."
She still does, only she doesn't realize it:-) As one of her national poets John Donne once remarked in that oft quoted verse: "No man's an island, entire of itself. Everyone is a part of the continent, a part of the main....." Whether or not he was referring specifically to the continent of Europe nonetheless remains irrelevant.
Such was true then, and it's no less true now!
"Britain did need Europe in 1972 when she joined...."
She still does, only she doesn't realize it:-) As one of her national poets John Donne once remarked in that oft quoted verse: "No man's an island, entire of itself. Everyone is a part of the continent, a part of the main....." Whether or not he was referring specifically to the continent of Europe nonetheless remains irrelevant.
Such was true then, and it's no less true now!