Polish Language Blog

There are some things that make everybody laugh regardless of their cultural background. There are, however, some differences in sense of humour between nations. Even in the English-speaking world, some things that are dead serious to Americans seem incredibly funny to the British (and probably vice-versa).

Here are some things that make Poles laugh:

1. The Czech language

The thought that a language might make people laugh may sound surprising, but it’s true. The Czech language sounds ridiculously funny to the Polish ear. Although both languages derive from a common core and have many similarities they evolved for centuries on their own. Most Czech words sound to Poles like diminutives of their own words, pronounced with an awkward accent. What is more, many similar-looking and sounding words have completely different meanings.

2. Politics

Political jokes and political satire during communist times were a way of coping with the annoyances of the system. And there was always something to laugh about. There was a saying that Poland was “the merriest barrack in the communist camp.” This approach to politics continues today, and it has to be acknowledged that Polish politicians basically write scripts for comedians with their irrational acts.

3. Poland

This might come as a surprise, but Poles love to laugh at themselves (but they don’t like it when others do so) and everything that is substandard, weird, awkward, broken, or baldly organised in this country.

4. Foreigners speaking Polish

Poles laugh, but in a “good way”. I still laugh when my American born husband tries to speak Polish. It’s his accent that is so funny and cute.

What else do you think makes Poles laugh?

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

No matter how well you know a language, you can’t communicate with anyone if you’re afraid to use it.

While it might not seem like this has anything to do with language learning, this is a problem that affects a lot of people. Even me!

For a long time, I was afraid to speak the languages I was learning. I still have trouble getting the courage to speak in certain situations or with certain people. It isn’t something that I got over immediately, but I’ve slowly improved over several years.

In my case, I was afraid of one thing: making mistakes.

I felt that if I made a mistake something terrible would happen. I don’t know what, but something terrible. People would laugh. Or they would think I said something embarrassing or stupid. Maybe the world would explode!

But being anxious or uncomfortable will simply make your language ability worse, increasing the likelihood that you’ll make a mistake. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

How did I get over it? By making a ton of mistakes! The more I made myself speak, the more mistakes I made. And you know what? Nothing bad happened! Everything was fine.

My first year spent in USA helped increase my confidence more than anything else. I was forced to speak. At first, I was very nervous in government offices. But I had no choice.

Now I’m a master of the tax office (Urząd skarbowy), immigration office (Urząd spraw cudzoziemskich), city hall (Urząd miasta) and social security (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych).

Recording videos of myself speaking in English has helped a lot too. In every video I make several mistakes and I notice them while listening to them.

Not everyone can travel to the country where their target language is spoken. And being forced to speak can be a pretty bad experience in itself.

So here is what I recommend:

❀ Find one person you are comfortable speaking with in your target language (ex. your spouse, friend, a good teacher, etc).

❀ Create the most comfortable situation possible (ex. in your home with a cup of herbal tea).

❀ Talk with them as much as you can!

❀ You will make mistakes – and that’s ok! You’ll soon see that nothing bad happens and you’ll learn to be less afraid.

For me, I’m more comfortable talking to other non-native speakers, meaning people who are also learning the language. Of course, you’ll want to talk to native speakers eventually, but you have to start somewhere.

Good luck and please share your suggestions with us:)

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

If you are interested in the Polish culture, literature and want to learn Polish language in an interesting way  -  this s a great book for you! And it is bilingual!

It contains the selection of 207 Polish aphorisms written by the best Polish writers, poets, journalists and even some politicians in bilingual version – in Polish original and in its English translation. It also had a variety of Polish folk proverbs – some of them unique to Polish culture, the other common in many cultures but still unique in the way how Poles express their common wisdom.

The selection was arranged by Jacek Gałązka. The general introduction to the history of Polish language and the literature was written by prof. Jerzy Krzyżanowski, famous Polish literature expert. Jacek Gałązka wrote the introductions to the aphorisms and proverbs sections.

According to Jacek Gałązka - the aphorisms were chosen so that they would be easily understandable for English culture readers, the ones who depended on some Polish context or on the play of words were excluded since their meaning could be obscured. The volume of Polish aphorisms is dedicated to Stanisław Jerzy Lec, the most famous Polish aphorism writer and poet.

Jacek is an excellent translator. All his translations sound the same good or even better than the originals but convey the same message. The book is enriched by several illustrations done by Barbara Świdzińska.

This is not a book which you should read from cover to cover during one day but you should read it if you have a minute of time and think over through the wisdom of these small aphorisms. It definitively helps to understand Polish culture better!

Below is a short selection of aphorisms and proverbs in Polish and English – to give you a taste of a book:

Niejeden bumerang nie wraca, wybiera wolność

Not every boomerang returns, some choose freedom

–Stanisław Jerzy Lec (1909-1966)

Różnica między intelektualistą zachodnim i wschodnim na tym polega, że pierwszy nie dostał dobrze w dupę

The difference between western and eastern intellectuals is that the former has not been kicked in the ass enough.

–Witold Gombrowicz (1904-1969)

Kłamstwo ma krótkie nogi ale biegnie szybciej od prawdy

A lie has a short legs but it runs faster than the truth

–Antoni Marianowicz (1924-2003)

Przyjaźń po wygaśnięciu miłości jest jak dym po pożarze

Friendship after love is like smoke after fire

–Magdalena Samozwaniec (1899-1972)

Rodzynek – stroskane winogrono

Raisin – a worried grape

–Julian Tuwim (1894-1953)

Pieniądz dobry sługa lecz zły przewodnik

Money is a good servant but a poor guide

–Polish folk proverb

Na szyi żyrafy pchła zaczyna wierzyć w nieśmiertelność

On the neck of a giraffe a flea begins to believe in immortality

– Stanisław Jerzy Lec (1909-1966)

Nie pytaj Boga o drogę do nieba bo wskaże ci najtrudniejszą

Do not ask God for the way to heaven, he will show you the hardest one.

– Stanisław Jerzy Lec (1909-1966)

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)