Polish Language Demystified!

Yes, Polish belongs to one of the most difficult languages in the world. However, it is only difficult when you approach it the wrong way. If you have the right attitude to learning, it’s not harder than any other foreign language.

The good thing is, Polish people admire any foreigner who speaks even one word in Polish! And when I mean admire, I mean: ADORE!! It’s so seldom that any foreigner speaks Polish, that you will be ADORED for any effort you make!

To start with: it’s nearly impossible for a foreigner to learn to speak Polish fluently! The fact is: it takes a child on average 12 years to speak the English language fluently. A child learning Polish, on the other hand, needs on average 16 years to speak Polish fluently. Polish language, difficult language. It’s even the case for Poles. Speaking grammatically correct and fluent Polish is a challenge for every Pole. As an example: I was always good in the Polish language, had the best grades at school and loved reading. But after spending approximately 6 years abroad, I was taken as a foreigner upon returning to Poland! This is how quickly your Polish language skills can deteriorate.

So for all of you out there willing to learn Polish: some advice from an “international” native speaker!

1). Forget the grammar

Polish grammar is ridiculously complicated. You have 7 cases, 3 genders, and more exceptions than rules. I learned the grammar at school, so I have it in my blood (I think), but often I cannot explain to a foreigner why you spell the word the certain manner. You need to learn it by heart while you grow up. So, just skip it.

2). Don’t learn to write – speak first!

I still remember those orthography tests – they were killing me! Even today I always look at certain words to “see”, if they are spelled correctly. So, skip this one, too.

3). Do learn many words.

Learn all the words you can pick up. Just in nominative case is fine. Even if you don’t put them in the right case – it will be enough for Poles to understand you. And they will be admiring you anyway! . For a foreigner putting words in correct grammatical case is not necessary. Unlike other languages where subtle differences in conjugations and endings can change the meaning of the sentence, you will still be understood.

Here comes a story: I have a female Polish friend who is married to an Englishman and they live in England. Once I visited them and I had the pleasure to spend a nice evening with her and her husband Collin. Incredibly, Collin spoke Polish. We spent the whole evening chatting in Polish and it was such a fun evening. Did Collin know any Polish grammar, cases, gender, etc.?

None of them. But he knew lots of words and it was enough to create a great conversation! This is the way to go!

4). Do learn how to read.

Polish language uses Latin alphabet, with a few exceptions. Just learn how to pronounce these 15 letters:  ą, ć, ę, ł, ń, ó , ś, ź, ż, cz, dz, dź, dż, rz, sz, and you will be able to read everything. This is a great start. You always pronounce it as it is written.

5). Do learn some key phrases

There are some phrases which are helpful, like: “Która godzina?” (What time is it?), “Jak się masz?” (How are you?), “Dzień dobry” (Good morning)”, “Co jest grane” (What is up?) , “Zdrowie na budowie” (Health at the construction site – this is an insider phrase, use it before drinking some vodka! )– learn them by heart and you will be enclosed in any Pole’s heart!

“Polski język, trudny język” – “Polish language, difficult language”. But when you approach it following the above advice, you will really have fun with it! And, once you are in Poland, you will enjoy the company of Poles having fun along with you! Polish people are very open and fun loving, they would never laugh at you when you speak some “broken Polish” – they will admire you instead. Because you dared to step on this path to grasp a little of one of the most difficult languages in the world. You will be a hero and this will make your time in Poland much more enjoyable!

Just ask my husband. An American, he learned a bit of Polish following the above advice, and he is considered by my family members as someone who actually speaks Polish. My father cannot stop talking to him when they meet. Although, I must admit,  my husband is quite happy, when he can use the excuse: “Nie rozumiem” – “I don’t understand”, when my mother is talking to him!

Malgorzata is one of the top Trip Gurus on Mytripguru.com and loves to share her insights from her extensive travels. View her profile here.