The spelling and pronunciation of many words of the Russian language is often based on a tradition formed in past centuries. Because of this, for the designation of one concept, several terms can exist at once, for example, as putty and putty. Among such controversial issues is the correct name of the nationality of a resident of Poland. So, how to say it right : polka or Polish? Let's look into this issue.
The meaning of the words "polka" and "Polish"
Before you find out what the resident of Poland is called correctly: Polish or Polish, it is worthwhile to understand the meaning and origin of these words.
Both terms in question are used to refer to citizenships or natives of Poland, as well as to those who live in another country but belong to that nationality.
These considered words are absolute synonyms among themselves. At the same time, the “Polish girl" is considered an outdated name, long out of active use. While "polka" is actively used not only in Russian and Polish, but also in most other languages.
Etymology of the word "polka"
Before you consider how to correctly write: “Polish” or “Polish”, it is worth learning about the meaning and origin of these terms.
So, the feminine noun “polka” (in Polish - polka) was formed from the word “pole” (polak), which refers to a resident or native of Poland. The state itself received this name because of its flat terrain (from the term "field" - pole). There is also a version that the country gained its name not because of the landscape (after all, Poland has many forests), but because of the tribe of glades living in this territory.
Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, German, English, French, and most other world languages, the word "polka" was borrowed from the native Polish, and almost unchanged.
Interestingly, this noun even retained the original stress on the first syllable. While the pronunciation of the word "Pole" was adapted to the Russian language. The emphasis was shifted from the first syllable to the second.
The origin of the term "Polish"
Like the term "polka", " Pole" was also formed from the words "Pole" and "Poland", but much later. The exact time the name appeared in the Russian language is not known. Moreover, the studied noun from the point of view of grammar fits perfectly into the formula of feminine education from masculine in terms of nationality. For example, as a Tajik - Tajik, Uzbek - Uzbek, Slovak - Slovak.
From this we can conclude that the word "Polish" appeared as a Russian analogue to the noun "polka", and the distribution was mainly due to fiction.
So, in the works of such classics as Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin and Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, this word is used almost everywhere. And with their light hand, other writers in later times began to use this term instead of "polka".
By the way, it was from the Russian language that the “Pole” “migrated” to Ukrainian (“Pole”) and Belarusian (“palyachka”). After all, before that, the term “Lyashka” or “Catholic” was used more often in Ukrainian, which was almost a synonym for Orthodox residents of Ukraine (at the time of the Kazatchina).
Features of the meaning of the noun "Polish"
Although both words in question are synonyms, there is a difference between them. So, the term "Polish" is negative in nature, with a touch of neglect. Moreover, Polish women and girls themselves are offended when they are called them. In the same way as Ukrainians, when they are called "Ukrainians" and "Bandera", and the Russians - when they are called "Katsap" and "Muscovites."
The root of this hostility to the word "Polish" is not exactly known. Perhaps this is due to the partition of Poland in 1795, in which the Russian Empire took a very active part. Indeed, since then, over a century, many Polish lands belonged to Russians who actively planted their culture and language.
In any case, if, when visiting the Poles, you call a woman a Pole, it will be considered bad form and will be perceived with hostility.
Is there the word "Polish" in the Polish language?
Considering the question: "To speak and write correctly: Polish or Polish?", You should pay attention to whether there is a word offensive for the inhabitants of Poland in their language.
It turns out that this term, so successfully established in the Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian languages, is absent in Polish.
Moreover, sometimes they try to put the word “Pole” as an analogue to the term “Poles” (polaczek), which is also not particularly loved by representatives of this nation. However, the nouns "Polish" and "Poles" have different shades of meaning. So, the first is an obsolete book title, which in the past was used in official documents. But the "Pole" or "Pole" - these are nouns with a clear connotation of neglect. They have never been used in official spoken or written language.
"Polish girl" or "polka": how to speak and write correctly
Both terms in question have the same meaning. However, which one should you choose: Polish or Polish?
Despite numerous disputes, the only relevant word spoken about a woman from Poland is the noun “polka”.
The term "Polish girl" is considered not only rude, but also outdated. Moreover, from the first half of the 20th century, which was recorded in the dictionaries of that time.
However, when writing works of art describing the time of Pushkin or the period when the noun "Polish" was actively used in speech, the use of this word is permissible.
From all this we can conclude that, choosing between the options "polka" or "Polish", you always need to give preference to the first, if it is not a historical work of art.
Why often they say "Polish" instead of "polka"
Having studied the question: “To speak and write correctly: Polish or Polish?”, You should pay attention to why the word “Polish” is still used in the speech of many people. After all, it is not only outdated, but can also create problems in relations with women of this nationality.
It turns out that the fact that the word "polka" refers not only to a resident of Poland, but also to the famous Czech fast dance. For this reason, in order not to be misunderstood in a conversation, many (regardless of how correctly: Polish or Polish) use the second word.
By the way, because of this coincidence, some consider Polish dance to be Polish. In fact, its name was derived from the Czech word půlka (half step) and only by mistake it turned out to be consonant with the term polka.
It is interesting that with a similar name there is also the Swedish dance polska ("Polish"), which also has nothing to do with nationality.
Having examined the question: “To speak and write correctly: Polish or Polish?”, We can conclude that the presence of this problem indicates the richness of the Russian language, as well as the desire of its speakers at all times to look for their own names for foreign words.