What makes Polish people laugh?

What makes Polish people laugh? Posted by Kasia on Feb 13, 2013 in Culture

Image by Bill Gracey o flickr.com

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…)

Keep learning Polish with us!

Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Try it Free Find it at your Library

About the Author: Kasia

My name is Kasia Scontsas. I grew near Lublin, Poland and moved to Warsaw to study International Business. I have passion for languages: any languages! Currently I live in New Hampshire. I enjoy skiing, kayaking, biking and paddle boarding. My husband speaks a little Polish, but our daughters are fluent in it! I wanted to make sure that they can communicate with their Polish relatives in our native language. Teaching them Polish since they were born was the best thing I could have given them! I have been writing about learning Polish language and culture for Transparent Language’s Polish Blog since 2010.

Comments:

Anna Thel:

Hi Kasiu. Przez chwile zastanawiałam sie w jakim języku do Ciebie napisać. Wybrałam polski ponieważ jest to mój język ojczysty i aż wstyd sie przyznać ale cieżko mi sie pisze po polsku ponieważ nie mam z kim sie kontaktować w tym języku. Od 30 lat mieszkam w USA w stanie NH w Epsom. Może mieszkasz blisko mnie to z przyjemnością bym Cię poznała. Pozdrawiam Anna
john kantek:

No4,,,,, when I am trying to speck polish with Australian background ,,,,,but the polish people like it that I can speck so good ,,,,, my polish families are use to my way of talking Polish ,,,
marie.reimers:

My grandparents were Czech and Slovak. I know you are just “reporting”, but I find that the Polish making fun of the Czech language is a little like the pot calling the kettle black.
melissa:

Oh Marie… my husband is Polish and his whole family do laugh at how the Czech speak. I never understood it but it seemed to be common theme over there. So what if they laugh. Bet you laugh at things that should be taken seriously too.
Casimir Ziezio:

How many people are laughing at Putin these days?
Monika:

What else makes Poles laugh? Oh, there are plenty of reasons ;). Let me ad to your list following examples :
– polish comedies which show polish reality of 70s ( communistic times – “alternatywy 4″) or typical polish behaviour (” Sami swoi”, ” kogel-mogel”)
– sexist jokes – this is a reason why ” we Slavs” was/ is such popular song ( but not very welcome on Eurovision)

Regards from Exeter

Monika
Yvonne:

Polish people are amused by my “cute” American accent when I speak Polish, but seem surprised when I point out that Poles speak English with a Polish accent. Do they not hear themselves?

Older post

Newer post