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Posts by Antek_Stalich  

Joined: 6 May 2011 / Male ♂
Last Post: 24 Jun 2011
Threads: 5
Posts: 997
From: Poland, Brwinów
Speaks Polish?: Native speaker
Interests: Making music, photography

Displayed posts: 1002 / page 32 of 34
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Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Czech language sounds like baby talk to most Poles. Similarities? [222]

This is only your opinion, Gumishu, however the Czech revivalists thought differently, and you can ask any educated Czech person to get their confirmation. This is also why Slovak resembles Polish in far greater extent.
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
History / Pieces of Real Polish History [60]

Alex,

The WWII and 44 years of the Soviet oppression in Poland were the result of spreading nationalism, racism, religious discrimination, and totalitarian ideology and it created so much of atrocity and calamities that Poland decided that it shall never happen again and this is reflected in the Law. Whatever you say, Alex, your residence in Poland requires law-abiding, do you like it or not. Dura lex sed lex.

Those two clauses of the Penal code are slippery at best, Ant - and in the best (?) tradition of Polish law need a lot of case law interpretation before one can really get a sense of what's allowed and what's not.

Why do we discuss that? The Law is Law and you rather do not find sites such as PolishForums in the Poland's domain.
Have you heard of the band Honor? They have been effectively prosecuted. It did not help them to talk on "artistic values" because they were spreading hatred.

2) Proletaryat pub in Poznan is covered with portraits of Bierut, the odd ZOMO uniform, and various other curios from the not-so-good old days. Should we be sending the boys in blue round?

This is the "artistic" purpose. The pub does not promote the totalitarian system, don't you think so?

And while we're on the subject of perceived insult: any constitution or penal code that criminalises, without further clarification, 'insulting the office of President' and thus allows individual presidents to press charges is a pretty cack-handed formulation, which does rather devalue clauses 156 and 157 you quoted above.

Am I wrong thinking you shall not insult the Queen in UK?

1) Am I liable for prosecution if I say - accurately, I believe - that the Communist system DID being about some concrete improvements in the general living standards of many Poles? For example, the postwar expansion of health care provision, the electrification of the countryside (1967)? Of course, this came at a cost - probably too high a cost in terms of personal freedom and national sovereignty but that shouldn't have to be said in the interests of balance.

Such matters can be discussed. Do you think Alex the postwar expansion of health care provision, the electrification of the countryside would not happen without the Communism? How was it possible in West Germany for instance. Have you heard about the UNRRA programme that helped rebuilding West Germany but the Polish Commies refused accepting the UNRRA driven by orders from Moscow? Was it Soviets who rebuilt Warsaw?

A thought: Does UK have a Constitution? Is there written Law in UK?
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Czech language sounds like baby talk to most Poles. Similarities? [222]

Magdalena, I really wished you were here...

In the most active part of my life spent in the Czech Republic, I spoke with many people there. The view about making the modern Czech different from Polish was expressed by many. It could be a stereotype and another thing told me by the Czech was the Czech nation was folk in essence (as opposed to the Polish szlachta). I do not claim I know those matters as if I were a Czech person.

In 1991, on my first trip there, I knew nothing about the Czech history, the Czech matters. I was asking Czech people if they were affiliated with the German language. Czech people were scowling at me and answering: "Not really... we prefer English". Now BB comes and tells me something very opposite...
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
History / Pieces of Real Polish History [60]

My point, DE, was Alex views have been shaped by his British background. Alex does not need to understand continental systems based on Constitutions and Penal Codes. Besides, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands, Spain and whatnot are monarchies too, and these do have Penal Codes, right?

Alex, can you insult the British Queen, when we are at the Articles 156 & 157 of the Polish Penal Code?

Poland made her first Constitution only 17 years after the United States had made their own. Moreover, Poland had parliamentary monarchy and election of monarchs when America was a colony. I do not think, DE, you should be patronizing Poland.

The United States never experienced a totalitarian rule, so your views are shaped completely differently from the Polish views, DE.
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Czech language sounds like baby talk to most Poles. Similarities? [222]

I could tell you a story on two on Czechoslovak, Czech and Slovak customs/border officers or on behaviour of some Czech people, too, Magdalena. I, however, do not associate such things with the majority of the nation, and I find Czech people polite, cultivated and pleasant. Going to Czech Republic has been always pleasure to me.
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
History / Pieces of Real Polish History [60]

Have you ever heard of the PGR, Alex? (State-Run Farm) = sovchoz? The PGR are the best example of the failure of the Soviet system. Poland has survived on the private farming, and PGRs was the wasted land with whatever that could be stolen - stolen, totally counter-productive. From the sustaining lack of food under the Communism, Poland went into overproduction now due to private farming. This is the point you cannot deny.

Regarding other economic matters, Poles were very enthusiastic to rebuild the postwar Poland and would have done it without the Soviet help. The communist system was so inefficient... Alex, if you haven't already done it, please watch films of Stanisław Bareja. They are not exaggerated very much. If you ever could get in the Bar Pokusa in the very centre of the commie Warsaw, you would certainly puke. Trust my word on that.

The Constitution of the USA was not ratified until 1789 with the final state, Rhode Island, approving it in May of 1790 and so Poland was really only a year behind the USA with her May 3rd Constitution.

My mistake. Does it make you more or less patronizing Poland?

Totalitarian rule was imposed upon Poland by foreign powers. You cannot actually believe that total freedom of speech in Poland would ever lead Poles to impose it upon themselves.

The first President of the Second Republic of Poland, Gabriel Narutowicz, was killed by a nationalist assasin.
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
History / Pieces of Real Polish History [60]

Antek_Stalich: My mistake. Does it make you more or less patronizing Poland
I have never been patronizing towards Poland.

I believe in freedom and I assumed that in Poland, the land of the shining Golden Freedom, the freedom of speech would be sacrosanct but apparently not everyone in Poland is so devoted to liberty

You said implicitly that the Constitution of Poland is anti-liberal.

I would like BB tell us how similar points look like in the Penal Code of the Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
History / Pieces of Real Polish History [60]

Alex,

The building at Rondo de Gaulle'a (opposite the former Central Commitee of the Communist Party, now Stock Exchange), the building housing the EMPIK now, carries these words: CA£Y NARÓD BYDVJE SWOJĄ STOLICĘ. (Whole Nation Bvilds Its Capital City):

Of course, it was the nation that rebuilt its Capital City. It was also Commie road system planners who made all roads leading through inhabited areas that makes all of us suffer today. Ask however, a Silesian, what he thinks about the reconstruction of Warsaw: "Them Warsawers have robbed Silesia and Wrocław of building bricks, this is the WHOLE NATION".

No, if you had quoted my entire sentence it would be apparent that I have said that you, Antek, are interpreting the constitution of Poland in illiberal restrictive manner that has resulted in your claiming that people on this discussion forum are criminals according to it.

I have quoted Polish Penal Code and said PolishForums would not be allowed in the Poland's domain as the site based on criminal rules, according to the Polish Law. And indeed, many PFers commit crime according to the Polish Penal Code.
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
History / Pieces of Real Polish History [60]

If Poland became a sort of dictatorship after Narutowicz's assasination that has absolutely no weight as an argument against unrestricted freedom of speech.

Perhaps the US assassinations and the murder of Narutowicz had anything to do with the freedom of possession of firearms? My Grandpa the gardener indeed owned a revolver pre-WWII.

After assassination of Narutowicz, Poland was able to defend democracy. I could mention, however, the mild totalitarian system introduced by colonels after Józef Piłsudski's death, the totalitarian regime leading to imprisonment of the opposition in Bereza Kartuska, involving torturing the political prisoners. Did I already say, DE, Poland suffered enough atrocities and calamities due to nationalism, racism, discrimination, totalitarianism to let it happen again?
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Czech language sounds like baby talk to most Poles. Similarities? [222]

I could perfectly get your message/explanation, Magdalena and thank you very much for that!
Now you must understand I love the Czech nation, the country, and the language.

How did Svejk said that... "I like it everywhere in Bohemia"? You can remember the interrogation at the gendarmerie station alright.
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Polish and other West Slavonic languages and "pozor vlak" :) [48]

pyt-i-pande

Oooooops... Of course, Skania used to be a Danish province but:

sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyttipanna

(By the way, I'm old and make typing mistakes, sorry for that, sure, biksemad that I pronounce biksemeeeeeel ;-))
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
History / Pieces of Real Polish History [60]

Will you continue teaching Poles how they should organize their own country? Show me any thread where I told Americans how they should live, please.
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
History / Pieces of Real Polish History [60]

Luckily for us Poles, you are not the person to decide in these matters, DE.
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
News / Polish flag was changed by taking the coat of arms? [48]

The Law means Law, and we are talking about the national flag or Poland that is protected by the Polish Law.

Discussing the Law is pointless.

If I'm not wrong, Isthatu2, you come from a country that has neither Constitution nor Penal Code. The rest of Europe have Constitutions and Penal Codes. Got it?

This makes the big difference because a British can make briefs out of the Union Jack but a Frenchman, German or Pole won't do it with their national flags.
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Polish and other West Slavonic languages and "pozor vlak" :) [48]

it is hard for a native Pole to master Danish, pronunciation being the hardest part as there are all in all 40! (not kidding) different vowel sounds in Danish many of which are virtually indistinguishable to an average Pole

Not only that but also the glottal stop making it so hard for a Pole say "red porridge with cream" in Danish, makes them so hard to say the Czech "cross" and eliminates them from speaking Cockney ;-)

I actually know a Pole who, after having had learnt Russian, Swedish and English (in that order), learned Danish to the level his future parents-in-law could not distinguish him from a Dane, and who learned Ukrainian later ;-) Rare bird. Rara avis!
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Czech language sounds like baby talk to most Poles. Similarities? [222]

sobieski

By the way, what is the origin of the "pepiki" byword for the Czechs? Does it have a special meaning? Where does it come from?
From what I know, it is not a malicious thing.

Pepik is the petty name for Josef, that is, it means Joe. Nothing malicious.

A lot of countries call their neighbors names, so I was wondering.... And what Poles call for example Slovaks?

No special name but a close friend of mine calls Slovaks "The Romanians of Europe!" meaning he wishes them all the worst ;) All colleagues at his work laugh at him for his anti-Slovakism ;)
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Czech language sounds like baby talk to most Poles. Similarities? [222]

a pet name.

I said "petty name".

We Mazovian call Greater Poles "pyry" (potatoes), Cracowers are called "centusie" (stingies), and all of them call us "warszawka" (petty Warsaw). So what? Silesian call themselves "hanysy" (Johnnies), they call the rest of the world "gorole" (hilanders) ;-) so what?
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Czech language sounds like baby talk to most Poles. Similarities? [222]

se pěstuje

Although "pěstovat lásku" especially to the homeland makes me smile a little ;) True, it is not easy for most guys there distinguish Czech and Slovenian and I seem not to see many comments on that from the posters?

I thought this applies to "Poznańskie Piry"?

Pyry, Wielkopolanie = people of Wielkopolska, the Greater Poland, Poznań being the capital of.

Like Poles call Silesians, Hanysy.

Wrong. It is Silesians calling themselves Hanysy. When a non-Silesian uses this word, it becomes derogatory unless the person using that word is "gorol ale oswojony" (hilander but a domesticated one).

OK i see what you mean, kind of like in Poland someone calls an another person a Bolek, even though it's a name it also has a negative meaning, Bolek's someone you mock.

Recently, it is Andrzej ;-)

...
The guy in orange glasses is Pan Andrzej ;-)
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Czech language sounds like baby talk to most Poles. Similarities? [222]

A little back on topic.

The forgotten thing about the Silesian language is the influence of the Czech language, and I would even say, the ancient Czech.

From the song "Gelynder Blues":

Ja wom godom idźcie do dom kerejście gorole som
A jak nie to posuchejcie můj gelynder blues
.

The ones of you who understand Polish: Is is Polish? Is it German? Is it Czech? Does it sound funny to the Polish ear?

Marian, esp. so-called "wonsaty marian" ;-)

Eh? No, Stefan! Bronisław or Bronek is good!
Antek_Stalich   
17 Jun 2011
Language / Czech language sounds like baby talk to most Poles. Similarities? [222]

For the umptieth time, I have to say the Silesian is a language, identified by an ISO code. Saying Silesian is a dialect makes Czech a dialect, too. I could mention that Silesians have their revivalists, too.

szl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Przod%C5%84o_zajta

You should feel at home, Magda.

STRZYGA!

Strziga (ze łaćiny striga bez grecke "stris" ), abo mynski uodpowjydńik strzigůń je to dymůn ze prasłowjańskich wjerzyńůw, uobecny tyż we kulturze, bojkach a uosprowkach wywodzůncych śe ze rygjůnu Ślůnska. Coby tako strziga ńy můgła ludźům szkůdźić, trza jům bůło wykopać a przebić ji śerce dymbowym kołkym (we Ślůnsku, bo kaj ińdźi godało śe, co nojlepszy je uośinowy), abo ji uoberznůńć gowa a wraźić ji jům mjyndzy nogi. Jak już kogo za żywobyćo mjeli we podejzdrzyńu, co po śmjyrći może śe uostać strzigům, to go chowali gymbům na důł a wstyrczali mu do gymby kamjyń.

Hahaha!