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Posts by j mateja  

Joined: 27 Oct 2010 / Female ♀
Last Post: 11 Feb 2011
Threads: Total: 1 / In This Archive: 1
Posts: Total: 2 / In This Archive: 1
From: United States, Lawrence Kansas
Speaks Polish?: troche
Interests: culture, genaology

Displayed posts: 2
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j mateja   
12 Feb 2011
Language / Polish diminuitive names [11]

Dzięnkuję.

1. I have used -uś with Robert - Robuś - this doesn't seem to be a name that has a diminuitive or many of them. Is there a better one? Robert is one that I would consider a friend, we have worked together fairly closely for 3 years now. He has been very kind to me and encouraged me to learn some Polish.

2. I am flattered. They all have been very respectful with me. True gentlemen in a way I cannot say that American men are.
3. What about a name like Jarek? Another one I would consider a friend - also someone I have worked with for 3 years, closely at times. He has been especially kind to me and protective (the work is on a construction site and it is sometimes dangerous).
j mateja   
12 Feb 2011
Language / Polish diminuitive names [11]

I would like a little help with this...I work with a lot of Polish men and some of us have been working together for some time. Several of the men were introduced to me with their diminuitive names (Jarek, Jurek, Wojtek). Others not... And there are a number of diminuitives that get thrown around aside from the ones used as introductions. I found this information in the archives:

But beware, different diminutives have different emotional connotations, from more neutrally friendly, to strong affection, to more rough and ready pals. Use a form with -cha with a girl you're interested in and she'll assume you aren't. Use a form ending with -uś with a guy (especially in the vocative) and he may think you are interested in him.

English pet names are nowhere near as interesting or expressive as Polish (or other Slavic) diminutives and English simply cannot express the emotional connotations a well chosen Polish diminutive. They are a linguistic marvel and always repay any interest you show in them.


I have a couple of questions/concerns:

1. One of the diminuitives I've used is a -uś (not knowing the above) with someone that should be shown respect because of his position.

2. I have, on occasion, been referred to as Julka. Not sure what, if any, connotation that may have. Particularly since I have a position that they all seem to have a great degree of respect for... But they all seem very pleased that my given name is Julia and have taken the time to tell me how Polish my name is and how they like it.

3. There are a couple of these men that I now consider friends and I would like to know if it is appropriate to express this feeling using a diminuitive (or another form of the diminuitive) or if it would be best to leave it alone.

Can anyone help me here?