Language / Is the term 'Polak' derogatory?? [254]

Englishman... Frenchman... Irishman... Germanman... Polishman. It sounds too much like policeman.
Pole is the preferred and accepted word to use in English, but maybe it's just too short for some people.

If some think Pollack is offensive then it probably is. It is usually used in a way that is not exactly friendly. To call a woman a Pollack just sounds plain wrong and even plural Pollacks doesn't sound right. Refined English often likes to keep plurals the same as in the original language borrowed words came from.

On the other hand, Slovak is more correct than Slovakian (for a person) and don't forget how Czechs aren't Czechs but Moravians and Bohemians.

Language / Is the term 'Polak' derogatory?? [254]


A Czech who leads a Bohemian lifestyle might, otherwise you're probably right.

Language / Is the term 'Polak' derogatory?? [254]


Hey there, Scot.

Polonius3
Amongst black people, the word (when used by other black people) is often an insult. One black person may use this word in the way you have described, whereas for others, it means a black person of a lower social status.


Interesting point. How should English people feel about the word Angol? How should English people feel about the word Angol if Polish were a world-dominant language in the way that English is?

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]


Level 3 includes Polish, Russian (despite having a more difficult script), Turkic languages, Thai, Vietnamese, etc.

Level 4 (more difficult) includes Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Pashto and Korean.

So who says Polish is the most difficult language? Also, surely these things, to a lesser or greater extent, work both ways - it should be as difficult for a Pole to learn English, assuming the same level of resources are available. Therefore, if Polish is the hardest language, then so is English, ergo neither can be the most difficult. I win.