Magdalena
27 Jan 2015
Magdalena
27 Jan 2015
Travel / Being Transgender and visiting Wroclaw [467]
It's not hard to believe at all. The results of the parliamentary elections were not kept secret, after all :-) We also had an openly gay MP (Robert Biedroń) who is now the mayor of Słupsk. You really don't have to read the Economist to know that... ;-)
This may be hard to believe
It's not hard to believe at all. The results of the parliamentary elections were not kept secret, after all :-) We also had an openly gay MP (Robert Biedroń) who is now the mayor of Słupsk. You really don't have to read the Economist to know that... ;-)
Magdalena
27 Jan 2015
Food / What Polish foods and brands do you miss when you go to other countries? [216]
bread. the "Polish bread" you can buy in the UK is a distant echo of the real thing...
bread. the "Polish bread" you can buy in the UK is a distant echo of the real thing...
Magdalena
7 Jan 2015
Love / Polish Pet Names For Girls. [156]
Władysława (Władzia) is a Polish female name that nothing to do with "Johnny". Two tips:
1) Given names don't always "translate" - Władysława is a typically Polish name and has no foreign equivalent. The Polish equivalent of John, on the other hand, is Jan.
2) Never trust online translators; especially in language pairs like English-Polish, where the two languages are very, very different.
Władysława (Władzia) is a Polish female name that nothing to do with "Johnny". Two tips:
1) Given names don't always "translate" - Władysława is a typically Polish name and has no foreign equivalent. The Polish equivalent of John, on the other hand, is Jan.
2) Never trust online translators; especially in language pairs like English-Polish, where the two languages are very, very different.
Magdalena
6 Jan 2015
Magdalena
5 Jan 2015
Genealogy / Bernatowicz surname? (I am starting to wonder if anyone in my family was American?) [85]
Czech and Slovak do not have the "cz" digraph so whatever the actual origin of the surname (including its ending) is, it's definitely not Czech or Slovak.
Is Bernatowicz Polish, Czech/Slovak or Eastern Slavic in your opinion?
Czech and Slovak do not have the "cz" digraph so whatever the actual origin of the surname (including its ending) is, it's definitely not Czech or Slovak.
Magdalena
5 Jan 2015
Life / Being a Jew in modern-day Poland; Israeli Jew who is of Polish descent [269]
Actually Wiktor sounds like a great "replacement" if you ever need one :-) though frankly - I don't think it will be necessary. I would keep my original name to be honest!
Actually Wiktor sounds like a great "replacement" if you ever need one :-) though frankly - I don't think it will be necessary. I would keep my original name to be honest!
Magdalena
5 Jan 2015
Life / Being a Jew in modern-day Poland; Israeli Jew who is of Polish descent [269]
what's your original name? it might sound pronounceable enough to Polish ears as it is. or, if you are male, you could call yourself "Sławek" which is a form of Sławomir (to keep with the Glory meaning). the female name "Sława" also exists (see Sława Przybylska) but is almost never used, so you would stick out if you used it.
what's your original name? it might sound pronounceable enough to Polish ears as it is. or, if you are male, you could call yourself "Sławek" which is a form of Sławomir (to keep with the Glory meaning). the female name "Sława" also exists (see Sława Przybylska) but is almost never used, so you would stick out if you used it.
Magdalena
4 Jan 2015
Genealogy / Bernatowicz surname? (I am starting to wonder if anyone in my family was American?) [85]
The way this would work, one of your distant ancestors would have the given name or nickname of Bernat (Bernard), and then he had a kid, and to differentiate between them, someone would call the child Bernatowicz (at this point it would still have been simply a nickname). Then, as the family multiplied, the nickname would become a surname.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_name#Poland
If so, could my ancestor's last name could have been just that and his son got Bernatowicz as stated previously?
The way this would work, one of your distant ancestors would have the given name or nickname of Bernat (Bernard), and then he had a kid, and to differentiate between them, someone would call the child Bernatowicz (at this point it would still have been simply a nickname). Then, as the family multiplied, the nickname would become a surname.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_name#Poland
Magdalena
30 Dec 2014
Life / Polish traditions and customs? I'm writing a crime novel that takes place in Poland. [10]
Not all men by far; and many women choose to shake hands also. It all depends on the social context of the situation.
Men only typically kiss if they are family members getting together after a long absence or if they are exchanging Christmas or Easter wishes. Most find it slightly embarrassing and only do it because of tradition. A lot of women have the same attitude.
Not true - I am a Polish woman and have lived in PL most of my life, and have never kissed or been kissed by my female friends as a typical greeting. Some admittedly do the "mwa mwa" thing where they kiss the air near their friend's ear ;-) but I would never say it's something every woman always does when greeting a friend.
You forgot to mention hand kissing (male to female) which is now very rarely done, and usually has either a flirty context or is reserved for very majestic old ladies, who usually extend their hand for a kiss as a matter of course.
All in all, all the above behaviours happen but none is predominant; Polish men do shake hands more often than say American men, but the handshake is not significant in any way, it's like saying "hi". As to kissing and hugging, surprisingly enough, I have been kissed and hugged a lot more often by my English friends here in the UK than by my Polish friends ever! ;-)
Polish men shake hands every single time they meet each other.
Not all men by far; and many women choose to shake hands also. It all depends on the social context of the situation.
Sometimes men kiss each other as a greeting, like once on each cheek, but sometimes 3 times.
However, this is rare now and more confined to rural areas.
However, this is rare now and more confined to rural areas.
Men only typically kiss if they are family members getting together after a long absence or if they are exchanging Christmas or Easter wishes. Most find it slightly embarrassing and only do it because of tradition. A lot of women have the same attitude.
Women kiss each other on the cheek each time they meet.
Not true - I am a Polish woman and have lived in PL most of my life, and have never kissed or been kissed by my female friends as a typical greeting. Some admittedly do the "mwa mwa" thing where they kiss the air near their friend's ear ;-) but I would never say it's something every woman always does when greeting a friend.
You forgot to mention hand kissing (male to female) which is now very rarely done, and usually has either a flirty context or is reserved for very majestic old ladies, who usually extend their hand for a kiss as a matter of course.
All in all, all the above behaviours happen but none is predominant; Polish men do shake hands more often than say American men, but the handshake is not significant in any way, it's like saying "hi". As to kissing and hugging, surprisingly enough, I have been kissed and hugged a lot more often by my English friends here in the UK than by my Polish friends ever! ;-)
Magdalena
30 Dec 2014
Life / Polish traditions and customs? I'm writing a crime novel that takes place in Poland. [10]
Some people will be more open while others will be more reserved. Don't rely on stereotypes. Is there any practical / real reason why your novel is based in Poland? Do you have any knowledge of the country? Have you visited? Because I can't imagine writing a novel set in e.g. Belgium (I've never been there). The only thing that comes to mind that could help you, apart from spending lots of time in Poland, is watching a lot of Polish movies of all genres to get an idea of how people behave.
Some people will be more open while others will be more reserved. Don't rely on stereotypes. Is there any practical / real reason why your novel is based in Poland? Do you have any knowledge of the country? Have you visited? Because I can't imagine writing a novel set in e.g. Belgium (I've never been there). The only thing that comes to mind that could help you, apart from spending lots of time in Poland, is watching a lot of Polish movies of all genres to get an idea of how people behave.
Magdalena
28 Nov 2014
Language / Owna and Owa name suffix [15]
Pretty much not in use for at least the last 40 years. People might say "Kowalikowa" or "Nowakówna" informally (often also with a touch of condescension or hostility) to refer to the people they know, but that's about it.
Well, the forms of the surnames in the jokes make the surnames sound sh*tty, if you know what I mean. That's as much as I want to say! ;-)
used mostly among older generation, and in smaller towns sometimes.
Pretty much not in use for at least the last 40 years. People might say "Kowalikowa" or "Nowakówna" informally (often also with a touch of condescension or hostility) to refer to the people they know, but that's about it.
I must admit to needing the scatalogical jokes explained to me, though!
Well, the forms of the surnames in the jokes make the surnames sound sh*tty, if you know what I mean. That's as much as I want to say! ;-)
Magdalena
28 Nov 2014
Language / Owna and Owa name suffix [15]
This, of course, is a rather scatological joke involving the incorrect use of feminine surname endings ;-)
In a case such as this, the wife would be Jedliżyna and the daughter Jedliżanka.
The other joke is equally scatological, though the surnames thus obtained would, in fact, sound Czech.
If the father's surname is JEDLIGA, his wife used to be referred to as JEDLIGOWA, whereas his daughter used to be referred to as JEDLIGÓWNA.
This, of course, is a rather scatological joke involving the incorrect use of feminine surname endings ;-)
In a case such as this, the wife would be Jedliżyna and the daughter Jedliżanka.
The other joke is equally scatological, though the surnames thus obtained would, in fact, sound Czech.
Magdalena
28 Nov 2014
Language / Owna and Owa name suffix [15]
Exactly. Polish does not use patronymics, while Russian does not have the -owa/ówna difference.
But presumably they were attached to the father's surname rather than the mother's first name and that's the difference.
Exactly. Polish does not use patronymics, while Russian does not have the -owa/ówna difference.
Magdalena
28 Nov 2014
Language / Owna and Owa name suffix [15]
You seem to be mixing up Russian-style patronymics en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patronymic#Russian with actual surnames. That's the main problem here.
If the lady's mother's given name is Janina, and the father's given name is unknown, I could imagine that maybe she (the lady) would be given a matronymic instead of the usual patronymic, i.e., [given name] [matronymic created using her mother's given name, in this case Janina -> Janinowna] [surname].
BTW, in Russian you do not differentiate between a married woman / unmarried daughter via surname as you would in older Polish. Thus, both the wife and the daughter of Mr Ivanov would be called Ivanova.
I understand that this is a matronymic version of Janowna, meaning unmarried daughter of Jan,
You seem to be mixing up Russian-style patronymics en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patronymic#Russian with actual surnames. That's the main problem here.
If the lady's mother's given name is Janina, and the father's given name is unknown, I could imagine that maybe she (the lady) would be given a matronymic instead of the usual patronymic, i.e., [given name] [matronymic created using her mother's given name, in this case Janina -> Janinowna] [surname].
BTW, in Russian you do not differentiate between a married woman / unmarried daughter via surname as you would in older Polish. Thus, both the wife and the daughter of Mr Ivanov would be called Ivanova.
Magdalena
8 Nov 2014
Genealogy / Woloczyn or Wolosczyn: Am I Polish? Help [22]
You can breathe easy - Czechs and Slovaks don't use the letter "w" at all in their alphabets, they only have "v". So you must be Polish ;-)
You can breathe easy - Czechs and Slovaks don't use the letter "w" at all in their alphabets, they only have "v". So you must be Polish ;-)
Magdalena
18 Jun 2014
Work / Language Teachers - do you feel respected in Poland? [86]
Of course it has - people are telling you a truth you do not want to face ;-)
Hopefully, you have learnt something from this thread and from the situation itself and you will be able to avoid similar problems in the future :-)
This thread has become rather tiring and monotonous - I'm out.
Of course it has - people are telling you a truth you do not want to face ;-)
Hopefully, you have learnt something from this thread and from the situation itself and you will be able to avoid similar problems in the future :-)
Magdalena
18 Jun 2014
Work / Language Teachers - do you feel respected in Poland? [86]
Did you have to stand outside the door, in the corridor? I daresay you were sitting comfortably in some sort of a "waiting area". That's the whole difference here. Imaging having to spend several minutes standing at someone's closed door in the corridor of a residential building. Not what I would call a pleasant experience. I used to run a business from home (in Poland), including English lessons, for over 10 years, and if that had happened to me, I'd have rushed out of the shower at the first buzz and thrown on some clothes, let the student in, sat them down somewhere out of sight, and gotten on with making myself presentable. I can assure you the student would be totally apologetic for showing up too early in this scenario.
If you work from home, you have to be prepared for emergencies such as this.
.I've certainly had to do that sometimes in my life at a doctor's appointment or a piano lesson,
Did you have to stand outside the door, in the corridor? I daresay you were sitting comfortably in some sort of a "waiting area". That's the whole difference here. Imaging having to spend several minutes standing at someone's closed door in the corridor of a residential building. Not what I would call a pleasant experience. I used to run a business from home (in Poland), including English lessons, for over 10 years, and if that had happened to me, I'd have rushed out of the shower at the first buzz and thrown on some clothes, let the student in, sat them down somewhere out of sight, and gotten on with making myself presentable. I can assure you the student would be totally apologetic for showing up too early in this scenario.
If you work from home, you have to be prepared for emergencies such as this.
Magdalena
18 Jun 2014
Work / Language Teachers - do you feel respected in Poland? [86]
No, I'm not. It's called good manners. Sometimes you apologise for something which is not completely your fault, because there is another person involved and they just might come in a bit early and be confused. I daresay your student was not offended until you told them to wait outside while you got dressed. What time was that? Almost 12:00 by then, you have to agree? You actually stayed in the shower for several more minutes after you knew your student had arrived - why? To "teach him a lesson"? To show him exactly how unimportant he was to you? That's all well and good, but then don't expect your student to humbly suck it up and stay for the lesson.
No, I'm not. It's called good manners. Sometimes you apologise for something which is not completely your fault, because there is another person involved and they just might come in a bit early and be confused. I daresay your student was not offended until you told them to wait outside while you got dressed. What time was that? Almost 12:00 by then, you have to agree? You actually stayed in the shower for several more minutes after you knew your student had arrived - why? To "teach him a lesson"? To show him exactly how unimportant he was to you? That's all well and good, but then don't expect your student to humbly suck it up and stay for the lesson.
Magdalena
18 Jun 2014
Work / Language Teachers - do you feel respected in Poland? [86]
The student arrived very slightly early to show respect for your busy schedule. If you were planning to take a shower so close to the actual lesson time, you should have sent him a short text before getting in the shower, something like "I won't be able to let you in until 12:00 sharp, sorry for the inconvenience". Problem solved, everyone happy, mutual respect maintained all around. I must say if I were the student, I would have been offended as well. There is nothing like leaving a paying customer waiting outside your door if you want to thoroughly humiliate them.
You say "Then he buzzed a second time - I ignored it again (still in the shower). A couple of minutes later, he was at the door to my flat (having gained access to my building). I got out of the shower"
...so it seems he showed up at your door almost exactly at 12:00 (as you said, a couple of minutes after he buzzed you the second time), and you were STILL in the shower?
I rest my case.
The student arrived very slightly early to show respect for your busy schedule. If you were planning to take a shower so close to the actual lesson time, you should have sent him a short text before getting in the shower, something like "I won't be able to let you in until 12:00 sharp, sorry for the inconvenience". Problem solved, everyone happy, mutual respect maintained all around. I must say if I were the student, I would have been offended as well. There is nothing like leaving a paying customer waiting outside your door if you want to thoroughly humiliate them.
You say "Then he buzzed a second time - I ignored it again (still in the shower). A couple of minutes later, he was at the door to my flat (having gained access to my building). I got out of the shower"
...so it seems he showed up at your door almost exactly at 12:00 (as you said, a couple of minutes after he buzzed you the second time), and you were STILL in the shower?
I rest my case.
Magdalena
3 May 2014
History / Poland: Her heroes and her traitors [221]
He was a bit of both, i.e. hero and villain. He fought against the Nazis and then against the Communists (after the end of WW2), but unfortunately made some bad decisions and pacified several Belorussian villages in the process.
He was a bit of both, i.e. hero and villain. He fought against the Nazis and then against the Communists (after the end of WW2), but unfortunately made some bad decisions and pacified several Belorussian villages in the process.
Magdalena
2 May 2014
Genealogy / Seeking Czarniecki family members and ancestors from Lublin, also Margiewicz, Danilowicz and Andrulewicz [77]
I can find only one sentence about him in the text (overall, it concerns the infiltration of the Polish guerrilla organisations in the Suwałki region during WW2 by the Gestapo, and talks about the people who were killed or arrested as a result).
The sentence is: "W walce z gestapowską obławą stracił dwóch wartościowych partyzantów, kaprala podchorążego Stefana Bujnowskiego, ps. "Biały" oraz Tadeusza Mikłaszewicza, ps. "Tońcio" z wsi Kukle, oprócz zabitych był także ciężko ranny w brzuch Franciszek Andrulewicz, ps. "Góral". "
Which means that Franciszek Andrulewicz was a Polish underground fighter in a guerrilla group and was wounded in the stomach during a Gestapo raid.
I can find only one sentence about him in the text (overall, it concerns the infiltration of the Polish guerrilla organisations in the Suwałki region during WW2 by the Gestapo, and talks about the people who were killed or arrested as a result).
The sentence is: "W walce z gestapowską obławą stracił dwóch wartościowych partyzantów, kaprala podchorążego Stefana Bujnowskiego, ps. "Biały" oraz Tadeusza Mikłaszewicza, ps. "Tońcio" z wsi Kukle, oprócz zabitych był także ciężko ranny w brzuch Franciszek Andrulewicz, ps. "Góral". "
Which means that Franciszek Andrulewicz was a Polish underground fighter in a guerrilla group and was wounded in the stomach during a Gestapo raid.
Magdalena
17 Apr 2014
Travel / Collection of dress codes in Poland - what to wear? [96]
The sportswomen wear whatever they are told to wear by whoever manages their team / club. So I don't think it says anything about their personal choices in the matter. I think Polish women in general haven't got the weird hangups some western (or at least English and American women) seem to have about their appearance. I think Polish women in general know that clothes do not create personality, their function is to serve a personality, so personality comes first.
The sportswomen wear whatever they are told to wear by whoever manages their team / club. So I don't think it says anything about their personal choices in the matter. I think Polish women in general haven't got the weird hangups some western (or at least English and American women) seem to have about their appearance. I think Polish women in general know that clothes do not create personality, their function is to serve a personality, so personality comes first.
Magdalena
17 Apr 2014
Travel / Collection of dress codes in Poland - what to wear? [96]
Comfort is the key issue here. I love skirts and dresses myself, but most of my female friends prefer trousers because there's less hassle. I don't think there's a lot of pressure put on Polish girls to look or act particularly feminine, I can't remember any from when I was growing up, you just put on whatever felt right. If you're out and about, trousers are always an easier choice, and skirts are often associated with dressing up for a major event or party. Don't look for any ideology surrounding this - there isn't any.
Comfort is the key issue here. I love skirts and dresses myself, but most of my female friends prefer trousers because there's less hassle. I don't think there's a lot of pressure put on Polish girls to look or act particularly feminine, I can't remember any from when I was growing up, you just put on whatever felt right. If you're out and about, trousers are always an easier choice, and skirts are often associated with dressing up for a major event or party. Don't look for any ideology surrounding this - there isn't any.
Magdalena
11 Apr 2014
Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]
Funny, I thought the genes for light coloured eyes and hair were recessive?
Funny, I thought the genes for light coloured eyes and hair were recessive?
Magdalena
5 Apr 2014
Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]
It will, on my part - I just washed my hair and will need to style it. ;-)
I can see this arguement will never end.
It will, on my part - I just washed my hair and will need to style it. ;-)
Magdalena
5 Apr 2014
Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]
Of course they're not. Can't you take a little dose of licentia poetica? Apart from the fact that I can't be bothered to rummage around cutting and pasting bits of your posts ;-) Nevertheless, the summary is quite accurate IMO ;-)
none of those quotes are actually mine
Of course they're not. Can't you take a little dose of licentia poetica? Apart from the fact that I can't be bothered to rummage around cutting and pasting bits of your posts ;-) Nevertheless, the summary is quite accurate IMO ;-)
Magdalena
5 Apr 2014
Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]
No, I am not getting all worked up. I keep pointing out the unsound parts of your reasoning, and you keep telling me I have OCD. Our discussion so far can be summed up in this short exchange:
You: "Murzyn is a racist word. Nice, young, educated, polite, urban people in Poland are avoiding it". (You might be right to the extent that your friends / family, having learnt of your dislike for the word, tend to avoid using it around you).
Me: "The overwhelming majority of Polish native speakers have no issue with the word".
You: "They must be uneducated, senile hicks. They should not use it because I say so".
Me: "But they are native speakers and you aren't. You can't tell them what to do."
You: "Language change is inevitable! I know best!"
Me: "You can't force the language to change".
You: "Are you silly? It's all beautifully spontaneous!"
Me: "No, it's not. You're trying to force a change."
You: "You must have OCD. You're obsessing. And "Murzyn" is a racist word".
;-)
getting all worked up
No, I am not getting all worked up. I keep pointing out the unsound parts of your reasoning, and you keep telling me I have OCD. Our discussion so far can be summed up in this short exchange:
You: "Murzyn is a racist word. Nice, young, educated, polite, urban people in Poland are avoiding it". (You might be right to the extent that your friends / family, having learnt of your dislike for the word, tend to avoid using it around you).
Me: "The overwhelming majority of Polish native speakers have no issue with the word".
You: "They must be uneducated, senile hicks. They should not use it because I say so".
Me: "But they are native speakers and you aren't. You can't tell them what to do."
You: "Language change is inevitable! I know best!"
Me: "You can't force the language to change".
You: "Are you silly? It's all beautifully spontaneous!"
Me: "No, it's not. You're trying to force a change."
You: "You must have OCD. You're obsessing. And "Murzyn" is a racist word".
;-)
Magdalena
5 Apr 2014
Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]
Exactly. And it's NOT happening this way in the case of "Murzyn". You, and others, are trying to force it.
Couldn't have put it better myself. And Polish in this case is not behaving the way YOU want it to.
Exactly. And it's NOT happening this way in the case of "Murzyn". You, and others, are trying to force it.
languages rarely behave the way you want them to.
Couldn't have put it better myself. And Polish in this case is not behaving the way YOU want it to.
Magdalena
5 Apr 2014
Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]
Which is what? That you can force the language to change spontaneously? Bit of a contradiction there, don't you think?
I'm all for the spontaneous change part, mind you. Modern Polish is changing and developing in leaps and bounds right now, not always in the most desirable directions, but as long as it's the native speakers initiating it, you can't really do anything to stop it. The alleged "racism" of the word Murzyn is not one of those changes, though; it's a typical example of external, and largely unwanted, politically correct fiddling performed by non-native users. Of all the Polish people on this thread, did even one agree with your viewpoint? No.
What I've noticed is that they might dial it down for a bit, and then the term comes right back. "Polish Concentration Camps" is not a term that is politically incorrect; it is a term that is FACTUALLY incorrect, but seemingly PC. The controversy has been going on for years and years, and still hasn't been fully resolved as of 2014!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%22Polish_death_camp%22_controversy#Use_and_reactions
I didn't prove it at all. See above.
current linguistic thought.
Which is what? That you can force the language to change spontaneously? Bit of a contradiction there, don't you think?
I'm all for the spontaneous change part, mind you. Modern Polish is changing and developing in leaps and bounds right now, not always in the most desirable directions, but as long as it's the native speakers initiating it, you can't really do anything to stop it. The alleged "racism" of the word Murzyn is not one of those changes, though; it's a typical example of external, and largely unwanted, politically correct fiddling performed by non-native users. Of all the Polish people on this thread, did even one agree with your viewpoint? No.
have started to avoid talking about 'Polish Concentration Camps'.
What I've noticed is that they might dial it down for a bit, and then the term comes right back. "Polish Concentration Camps" is not a term that is politically incorrect; it is a term that is FACTUALLY incorrect, but seemingly PC. The controversy has been going on for years and years, and still hasn't been fully resolved as of 2014!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%22Polish_death_camp%22_controversy#Use_and_reactions
Thanks for proving my point.
I didn't prove it at all. See above.