Language / Spelling "aunt" in Polish [142]


Interesting, back when I took Polish classes, I was taught different, and I just looked up my textbook to see if I remembered right.

What it says is that wujek is a maternal uncle (your mothers brother) and that stryj is a paternal uncle (your fathers brother).

USA, Canada / Poles in America: How do you pronounce your Polish surname? [128]

If I ever moved away where no one knew me I'd insist on people pronouncing my name correctly. However, my parents and grandparents never did so it is too much of a pain to try to get people who have known me my whole life to relearn how to say my surname. It makes it a rare treat when I come across someone Polish who naturally says my name correctly, or the odd person who goes out of their way to learn how to pronounce it.

My wife isn't Polish, but I've taught her how to say our name correctly. She even knows her name should end in an "a" instead of an "i".

Language / What were the first Polish words and phrases you have learned? [63]

dzika świnia

I don't know why, but my great-grandfather found me saying that extremely amusing.

Genealogy / Americans of Polish descent. How many of us are on Polish forums? [216]


I am here! I read a lot and post rarely. I am an American of mixed Polish and Ukrainian descent.

I do still talk(well, write) with family in Poland. Although, funnily enough, the relatives I still have contact with, are descendants of my Ukrainian side of the family. Where they live(and always have) is in Poland, near the border crossing at Medyka.

Most of the traditons we still celebrate have to do with Christmas, and food.

When I was young, in the early 90's, I got to spend a couple of summers in Poland in the summer language program at Jagiellonian University, and also got to meet my relatives in person then. At the time, I was very tempted to stay. Then it was very easy for Americans to get jobs teaching English. What ended up dissuading me was the quality of health care then. I had a couple of friends have some really bad experiences after falling ill there. Were I only that age again now...

History / Terrible past for the Jews in Poland? [930]

Regarding the dispute about Bransk, I have no dog in this fight, but was just curious how such a dispute over what should be easily verifiable fact comes up. In doing some quick searches it looks like Harry is right about the non tolerandis Judaeis and such, at least until after the partitions. It also seems that later the town had a larger and larger Jewish population. Could it be from later on that the documentary is referencing? Could you both be right, but not talking about the same time periods?

Genealogy / Ancestors from Galicia - does this mean you are Polish? [19]

My father's side of my family was from Galicia, in what is now Poland(very near the crossing at Medyka). They were very definitely Ukrainian. That being said, my relatives that still live there have been intermarried over the last couple of generations with (ethnic)Poles. I only converse with them in Polish and I would imagine the younger generation only think of themselves as Polish.

Re: Paul Waletko born in Galicia about 1884

"looking for any information on my grandfather paul waletko born in galicia about 1884"

Waletko is probably Ukrainian. Maybe your relatives were Lemko like some of mine. Do you have any immigration records? It may show Paul's native village.

Life / Babcia or Busha - any social class difference? [359]

jon357


I would think "busia" is more likely an evolvement in a Polish-American dialect than a holdover from Polish not used in Poland anymore. My Polish grandparents were from the same generation as many others mentioned in this thread. However, they were farmers not around a Polonia community. There was no "busia" in their language and I think the reason is the lack of exposure to other polonia and that "busia" was not part of their language in Poland.

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

@time1865

Maybe the Poles you are referring to are just trying to assimilate by displaying some Jersey attitude!

In all seriousness, though, you are talking about dealing with shop personnel. It has to be a vulnerable dynamic for them to begin with, and you're talking about the added stress of the Christmas rush this time of year. They are probably dealing with many Polish-Americans who, by your own admission, know less about Polish culture than you. I can imagine that can get tiring, especially if they feel they are expected to "perform" Polish. Perhaps you may find more the experience you are looking for by joining a Polish-American social club, attending Polish festivals, or, if religous, attending a Polish Church.

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]


Umm, I wouldn't. That was the point of the joke.