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Posts by random1  

Joined: 23 Jan 2015 / Male ♂
Last Post: 25 Jan 2015
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Posts: 5

Speaks Polish?: yes

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random1   
25 Jan 2015
Language / Correct use of Co or Jak when asking a question [6]

In the car example, you are on the right track.

Sort of... in the book example...
In the book example, you could ask
"Co czytasz? Czytam Animal Farm.
or
"Jaką książke czytasz? Czytam Animal Farm.
I guess another rule is that you would not use "co" right in front of a noun.

Sorry, maybe it might help if you think of "jak" and its variations as "how" or "which".
"What are you reading?" I'm reading Animal Farm. "CO"
"Which book are you reading?" "I'm reading Animal Farm. "JAK"

There is a twist though...
"Jaką książke czytasz?" "Czytam Animal Farm. could also be said like this
"Co za książke czytasz?" "Czytam Animal Farm." There is a word "za" between "co" and the "noun". I have heard this in colloquial language...

Sorry, I just noticed I made a typo...

In the book example such as "Jaką książkę czytasz?" There is a "ę" at the end of the książka word. It's not supposed to be an "e".

Also I don't know if the "Animal Farm" title undergoes modification at the end of the words due to cases. It an English title so it's not clear to me how it is treated in Polish sentences if it's an object.

I just thought I should mention this...
random1   
25 Jan 2015
Love / Any Polish Muslim girls living in Poland? [103]

polish999,
You should change your nickname... maybe to ninja999? I think you stop being Polish to the outside world when you put on a niqab or burka -- that a completely alien custom to Poland. Actually that's even alien to some parts of the Muslim world, where women are more likely to wear a hijab or nothing at all to cover their head.
random1   
25 Jan 2015
Language / Correct use of Co or Jak when asking a question [6]

"Co" translates to "what".
"Jak" translates primarily to "how, which or what".
My answer may not cover all possibilities, but this is how I think of differences between "co" and "jak."

"Co Robisz?" = "What are you doing?"
"Czytam (coś)." = "I'm reading (something)."
In this case the answer includes an implied pronoun, a verb, with an implied object.
The answer could also be a noun if the question were different such as "Co to jest?" "What is it? "Radio."

"Jaki jest kolor samochodu?" = "What is the colour of the car?"
"Czerwony." = "Red."
In this case, you would give an answer with adjective such as "czerwony".
"Jak mowi po polsku?" = "How does he speak Polish?"
"Dobrze." = "(He speaks) Well."
In this case, you would give an answer with as adverb such as "well."

"Co jest kolor samochodu?" in this sentence doesn't sound natural. You expect the answer to be an adjective/something that defines the car, so you wouldn't use "co".

You may need to refer to a grammar book for a more thorough explanation.
random1   
23 Jan 2015
News / Turkey abolished visas for Poles. [80]

I'd like to visit Turkey, especially eastern Turkey: Göbekli Tepe archeological site which predates the Stonehenge by some 6000 years (I think). The site could hold the oldest human-made structures on earth (much older then the Pyramids); also the site of Ani, a medieval Armenian town that is now in ruins, Mount Nemrut and Cappadocia. However, due to the war in Syria, I just don't think that parts of eastern Turkey would be safe so I stopped considering going to Turkey.

Also Turkey has gained a bad reputation by allowing the flow of jihadists/Islamic extremists through Turkey to Syria so that totally turns me off -- to me that reflects poorly on the government. I know Turkey is a large country but visiting Istanbul or just the west coast wouldn't be enough...
random1   
23 Jan 2015
Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]

Let me explain where I'm coming from with my previous posts...
I read mainstream Polish newspapers on-line. I do see the "Murzyn" word within the newspaper articles. It just does not make sense to me that reporters would be allowed to use the "Murzyn" word if it was as offensive as the N-word (=Nig...). If a reporter used a N-word in Canada or the US, he would be fired. This is why it's very hard for me to agree with the statement when people say that the word "Murzyn" is the N-word. However, I don't hear much Polish conversation on the street since I'm not in Poland.

I do agree that this word CAN be worded in an offensive context. Maybe this word is being transformed into something more offensive ?! It's entirely possible since words can change in connotation over time...

I looked for the definition of "Murzyn" in Langenscheidt Polish-English Dictionary, 2003 edition:
Definition: Murzy|n m (-a, -i), ~nka f (-i; G -nek) African; (w USA) Afro-American, Black

I looked at Google Translate. I was shocked. Google translates "Murzyn" as the N-word (Nig...). If people rely on Google to translate, I can see why people get upset. How the hell did Google decide to use the most offensive definition for this word, when it's used in mainstream Polish media?! Google actually gives different terms to "Murzyn" when this used within a text.

Here are some examples of mainstream Polish media, where the word, "Murzyn" is used
Rzeczpospolita article about the movie "Django Unchained" (maybe Google the URL string; I had to remove www and http)
... rp.pl/artykul/1073661-Rewelacyjny-western--o-niewolnictwie.html
Look for words: Murzynów, Murzyna...

Here is an example from a News magazine, "Uważam Rze" (maybe Google the URL string; I had to remove www and http)

uwazamrze.pl/artykul/988264/polska-musi-bronic-wartosci/3

Interview with John Abraham Godson, member of the Polish Parliament (I understand he's from Nigeria)
First sentence on the page. Response of John Godson to reporter's question:
"Tak. Dotychczas ludzie mnie szufladkowali. Uważali, że skoro jestem Murzynem, to jestem lewacki..."
Google translation: "Yes. So far, the people I file it . They thought that since I am a black man , I'm leftist ."

Do you see now why this is so conflicting?