Language / Polish Lessons Units [189]

I've been using this free first year online course for months at no cost and have found it to be more useful than some of the gear bought both online and in Krakow bookshops.

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]

This popped up (no pun intended) last week during a terrific fun garden party near Wadowice. The lesson from what occurred, is, when a mixed group are conversing in Pol-glish, the question "who are you?" (spoken quickly) can cause confusion. Happily, it caused peals of laughter.

Life / The Polish Wedding - What is it Like in Poland? [338]

One very useful piece of advice for maximum enjoyment, is, take it easy on the alcohol until everyone else is well lubricated because it's a lo-o-ong first night. Enjoy ;)

Language / Polish Lessons Units [189]


The most difficult thing to grasp, in my learning experence so far, has been the changing of word endings. While the basics, (which indicate masc. fem. or neuter) are not difficult to fathom, situations where Ewa would become Ewę for example are not so easy to get to grips with.

The video is both educational and entertaining, the two ingredients that make learning a fun thing.

Eager to see more.
many thanks

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]

you might seek for such 'bitches' in a kurwiarnia rather than nicer ladies in a kawiarnia :D

Language / I want to learn Polish. Where to start? [180]

that would be a great learning tool/aid but I have not found a Polish channel on either Sky (when I had it) or Virgin cable which I currently subscribe to. Is anything generally available on tv that I must have missed? Are you listening BBC? Could I have something for my licence fee please, besides constant servings of sad rhubarb?

Life / The Polish Wedding - What is it Like in Poland? [338]

now that looks like one beautiful wedding Marcus. Watching your short video was really pleasing. Thanks

Language / Polish Lessons Units [189]

Many thanks for taking the time to do this and for being the type of person this world needs.
Although I have progressed by this stage, I realise that I can still improve from using it. Also this is a terrific tool to introduce our younger family members to their paternal great-grandfather's native tongue. Much appreciated.

Language / I want to learn Polish. Where to start? [180]


Hi Kemaleon, my sentiments well reflected there, concerning Polish in 4 weeks. Try this link to Uni. of Pittsburgh's 1st year Polish. polish.slavic.pitt.edu/ I believe you'll be well impressed. Personally, I find it annoying that the lazy clowns in the Brit. gov. could at least run a short campaign through the media advising interested parties and persons of what is available and where. But then, maybe this has already been done and burned to disc, etc. .blah blah courier lost it blah blah, it must be around here somewhere...

Language / I want to learn Polish. Where to start? [180]

Family links initially, but over time it became something hobbyish also. I tinkered about -if that's a suitable phrase- for a long time picking up bits along the way until I finally made a new year resolution to get on with it :)

Over the decades, (and I suppose Latin was probably the first language option after English in British schools) there has usually been languages on the school syllabus. French, German and Spanish have been popular over the years.

I'm wondering whether anyone knows of any government school in their locality that is moving along with current trends in the populace, and offering Polish language?

I'm also hoping to see views aired on whether this ought to be so.

Language / I want to learn Polish. Where to start? [180]


exactly correct. Good luck with your studies.
Apart from the material that I'm using, I'm hoping to befriend some local immigrant for the joint interest of language learning.

Language / I want to learn Polish. Where to start? [180]


usually available (new) on ebay. I have a copy (bought in Kraków) and apart from the ridiculous title, it's very good.
A perfect follow-up or even to study alongside with, is Uczmy się Polskiego.

pricey, but hey, what did you spend on your last weekend on the lash? ;)

Life / The Polish Wedding - What is it Like in Poland? [338]

In 2001 I was honoured to be one of the only two English guests at the wedding of my wife's cousin's daughter. It was a traditional countryfolk wedding which began with the convoy of vehicles leaving from the bride's home and then being halted by neighbours wielding various implements thus blockading the road. This 'gate' (bram) is a countryfolk tradition whereby the groom must barter with the neighbours in order to be allowed to take her for himself. And again, traditionally, the payment/bribe is primarilly made by handing over spirytus, vodka etc. The convoy then proceeds to church.

Service seems to last forever, then the usual photo session and proceed to what I would only describe as a wonderful banquet. Eating, drinking, folk-dancing and more eating,etc on into the early hours of the following day.(expect to be dragged up to dance, it's the tradition). Oh, and there are some unusual games to play ;)

When you do arise the following day, expect to continue the feastivity until you beg for mercy. An experience, the memory of which I will always treasure.

Get the picture?
I

Travel / Stag Parties in Kraków [119]


Very true Lukasz. I have been visiting Kraków to family for more than 25 years and watched as fast food outlets and even a sex shop on Ulica Florianska opened business and unwittingly damaged the reputation of the old central city.

Now I am disheartened when people who I work with laugh about their visits for the cheap beer and prostitutes.
They show no respect, yet demand respect from others by threat of violence.
Maybe that if they were told to pay double or treble price, then they will go to Włoch na przykład

Language / I want to learn Polish. Where to start? [180]

I found that ISBN2-8315-7197-9 BERLITZ Polish Phrase Book and Dictionary is a pocket sized treasure trove of a phrase book and would be of great value to most students of the Polish language. retails at around £5.

Things changed a great deal this past thirty odd years. I married an Anglo/Polish lady back in 1970 and although her Polish father never taught his mother tongue to her, I became romanced by the language after visits to Poland.

There wasn't much by the way of learning aids to be easily found back then and so progress has been very casual. Over the past couple of years though, with renewed intent to learn more, I came to realise that in order to learn the all important grammar, one must have a stable grounding in the grammar of your own native tongue. If you never were taught the difference between nouns,verbs,adjectives etc, it will be almost impossible to make sense of lessons in Polish grammar. So, I feel that you either learn a language by daily usage (as babies/children do) or learn well the structuring tools of your own language first. Any thoughts on this? Apart from my being a bit long in the tooth to be trying to crack this beautiful language? :)