A meeting with Poland’s best-known linguist took place on December 18 at the Wedding Palace. Professor Jan Miodek spoke, among other things, about the etymology of the word Bolesławiec. He emphasized that he feels closely connected to our city because he got married here years ago.
As the linguist noted, language guides give bolesławczanin as the standard term for a resident of our city. In the case of Bolesławiec, however, linguistic usage—that is, the way people customarily speak—determined the matter.
The Wrocław professor also spoke about the influence of anglicisms on the style of the Polish language. He stressed that he did not intend to “tear his hair out” over the computer and other words that have become established in Polish in recent years. In his view, foreign-language lexical interjections have always been a great strength of the Polish language, including Latin, French and Czech insertions.
Moreover, anglicisms have been adapted very well to our language system. Instead of the English “sorry,” young people just as often use forms such as “sorki,” “sorka” or “sorewicz.” The stylistic revolution has not bypassed more conservative circles either. Miodek even heard a priest say to the faithful: “you must be full time with Christ.”
At the end of the meeting, Professor Miodek answered questions and signed books. The well-known linguist came to Bolesławiec at the invitation of Józefa and Marek Witas.
(GA report)