Stung by the Guardianinthehomecounties.co.uk review, I've held off the hardcore language posts for a while now. I think it's time to face the truth. Languages, linguistics, grammar and so on permeate my life to such an extent that it would be impossible to write a blog about living in Poland without the odd stray reference to verbal communication creeping in from time to time.
For example:
I'm hanging out at Car Guy's flat, watching bad films on the imaginary sofa.
Me - [something colloquial in English]
CG - OOhh that's nice, do you mind if I write that down? (opens computer)
Me - Sure. What would you say in Polish?
CG - Uhh; I'm not really sure, I suppose: [something incomprehensible in Polish with a lot of 'z's]. No, wait, you wouldn't really say that. I'd probably say this [zzwprwgrzszczłwrł etc.] unless I were working in which case I would say [żżżwszczśćłłó-ować]
Me - Right. I'll remember that then...
Or:
CG - What do you call those berries, the red ones that appear in winter?
Me - Holly?
CG - No no no not holly, small trees, you can boil the berries, they're healthy
Me - Not really sure. Something-berries.
CG - Always these berries.
...
Later:
Me - Can I have some of that juice? Oooh it's red, what is it?
CG - I don't know, it's berries; the ones you didn't know last time
Later still:
CG - [on phone] By the way, I started a berry glossary.
Me - Brilliant! [genuinely thrilled]
For example:
I'm hanging out at Car Guy's flat, watching bad films on the imaginary sofa.
Me - [something colloquial in English]
CG - OOhh that's nice, do you mind if I write that down? (opens computer)
Me - Sure. What would you say in Polish?
CG - Uhh; I'm not really sure, I suppose: [something incomprehensible in Polish with a lot of 'z's]. No, wait, you wouldn't really say that. I'd probably say this [zzwprwgrzszczłwrł etc.] unless I were working in which case I would say [żżżwszczśćłłó-ować]
Me - Right. I'll remember that then...
Or:
CG - What do you call those berries, the red ones that appear in winter?
Me - Holly?
CG - No no no not holly, small trees, you can boil the berries, they're healthy
Me - Not really sure. Something-berries.
CG - Always these berries.
...
Later:
Me - Can I have some of that juice? Oooh it's red, what is it?
CG - I don't know, it's berries; the ones you didn't know last time
Later still:
CG - [on phone] By the way, I started a berry glossary.
Me - Brilliant! [genuinely thrilled]
Answers on a postcard please...
Posts
3 comments:
my Mum says it is głóg ( hawthorn).
Whilst I would have to admit that I was defeated by grammar, in particular Latin grammar, at school so long ago that I can't even remember what the various tenses are, it is really good to see that there are still people who are trying to keep it alive in whatever language. And the juxstaposition of impenetrable grammar and language with such mundane activities as buying a box of biscuits is something we here find rather entertaining. It would be a shame if Pinolona was to be discouraged by someone who did not understand the point of the exercise!
Thanks Artur. You wouldn't by any chance happen to know it in French and Italian too...?
Post a Comment