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Polish Diminutives – one more time Posted by Anna on Apr 7, 2009
I think I should add a brief explanation regarding my previous post on diminutive proper names. I am fully aware that if you really want to you can create zdrobnienia of just about any name out there, including Agnieszka, for example. The difference between some names and others is this: while very few perfect strangers…
Diminutives of Proper Names Posted by Anna on Apr 3, 2009
Are you ready for more zdrobnienia (diminutives)? I’m not… But I thought I’d give them a shot anyway. I told you already that I’m not particularly fond of diminutives. And if there is a thing I dislike even more, that will be diminutive forms of proper names. Hate the stuff. Really. Lucky are the people…
Polish Biometric Passports Posted by Anna on Mar 31, 2009
Tomorrow is the first of April and we all know what that means. Prima aprilis! The news will be even more full of bologna than on an ordinary day. Personally, I’m not a fan of April Fools’ Day. As far as I’m concerned, this silly tradition should be abolished. And I’m sure many people share…
Gender and Occupations, continued… Posted by Anna on Mar 28, 2009
Remember when I mentioned that the EU head honchos in Brussels want us to stop using gender specific names for professions? I also said that it was something I agreed with. Wow! I never thought that that particular post would provoke so many emails. Both for and against. But you see, we already have many…
When Polish Diminutives Aren’t Diminutive Posted by Anna on Mar 24, 2009
This is odd, but during the last two weeks two different readers, in two different countries, in two different ways mentioned the issue of Polish diminutives. So, who am I to argue with such a coincidence? And because I don’t want any bad karma hanging over my head (those “sexist” occupation nouns can wait), we…
Vernal Equinox and Old Slavic Traditions – Topienie Marzanny Posted by Anna on Mar 21, 2009
Yesterday was pierwszy dzień wiosny (first day of spring). Or is it today? But only theoretically, because you wouldn’t know it from looking outside. And that’s the problem with spring – it ignores the calendar and shows up when it feels like it (much like Anna she’s supposed to be somewhere at a particular time)…
Brussels Says – Get Rid of “Pani” and “Panna” Posted by Anna on Mar 18, 2009
What is this I’m hearing about the paper pushers in Brussels telling us to not use words such as “Pani” and “Panna”? Or “Madame” and “Mademoiselle”, “Frau” and “Fraulein” and so on… Seriously, does anyone still even bother with those panna/mademoiselle/fraulein forms? The great majority of people I know never even use the word “Panna”…