A Polish woman is Polish or Polish? How to write and speak correctly

The writing and pronunciation of many words of the Russian language often rests on a tradition formed in the past centuries. Because of this, several terms can exist for the designation of one concept, for example, as putty and putty. Among such disputable moments and the correct name of the nationality of a resident of Poland. So, how correctly to say: polka or polka? Let's figure this out.

The meaning of the words "polka" and "polka"

Before you find out how to properly call a resident of Poland: Polka or Polka, it is worthwhile to understand the meaning and origin of these words.

Both terms are used for naming of women or women from Poland, as well as for those who live in another country, but this nationality.

These words are absolute synonyms between themselves. At the same time, the "Polish" is considered to be an outdated name, long out of active use. While "polka" is actively used not only in Russian and Polish, but in most other languages.

The etymology of the word "polka"

Before considering how to write correctly: "polka" or "polka", it is worthwhile to learn about the meaning and origin of these terms.

So, the feminine noun "polka" (polka in Polish) was formed from the word "polak" (polak), which is called the inhabitant or native of Poland. The very same state received such a name because of its flat terrain (from the term "field" - pole). There is also a version that the country acquired its name not because of the peculiarities of the landscape (after all, there are many forests in Poland), 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 practically without changes.

It is interesting that 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 stress was transferred from the first syllable to the second.

The origin of the term "Polish"

Like the term "polka", "Polishie" was also formed from the word "Pole" and "Poland", but much later. The exact time of appearance of this name in the Russian language is not known. In this case, the studied noun from the point of view of grammar perfectly fits into the formula for the formation of the feminine gender from the 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 dissemination was mainly due to fiction.

Thus, in the works of such classics as Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin and Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, almost everywhere this word is used. 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 Polish woman migrated to the Ukrainian (Polish) and the Belarusian (the "palyachka"). After all, before that, the term "laska" or "catholic" was used more often in Ukrainian, which was almost synonymous for the Orthodox residents of Ukraine (during Kazachkina's time).

Peculiarities of the meaning of the noun "polka"

Although the two words are synonyms, there is a difference between them. So, the term "Polish" is negative in character, with a note of neglect. And the Polish women and girls themselves take offense when they are called to them. In the same way as Ukrainians, when they are called "hohlami" and "banders", and Russians - when they are called "katsapami" and "Moskals."

The root of this dislike for the word "Polish" is not exactly known. Perhaps this is due to the division of Poland in 1795, in which the Russian Empire took a very active part. After all, more than a century, many Polish lands belonged to Russians who actively planted their culture and language.

In any case, if, while visiting Poles, calling a woman Polish, this will be considered a bad form and will be hostile.

Is there a word "polka" in Polish?

Considering the question: "To speak and write as correctly: polka or polka?", It is worthwhile to pay attention to whether there is a word offensive to the inhabitants of Poland in their language.

It turns out that this term, so successfully established in Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian languages, is absent in Polish.

In this case, sometimes the word "Polish" is being used as an analogue to the term "Polish" (polaczek), which is also not particularly beloved by the representatives of this nation. However, the nouns "Polish" and "Polish" have different shades of meaning. So, the first is an outdated book name, which in the past was used in official documents. But the "Poles" or "Polapishka" are nouns with an obvious shade of neglect. They were never used in official oral or written language.

"Pole" or "polka": how to speak and write correctly

Both terms under consideration have one meaning. However, which one should you choose: Polish or Polish?

Despite numerous disputes, the only relevant word about a woman from Poland is the noun "polka".

The term "Polish" is considered not only rude, but also obsolete. And even from the first half of the XX century, which was recorded in the dictionaries of that time.

However, when writing works of art that describe the time of Pushkin or the period when the noun "Polka" was actively used in speech, the use of this word is permissible.

From all this, it can be concluded that when choosing between "polka" or "polka" variants, one should always give preference to the first, if this is not a historical artwork.

Why often say "polka" instead of "polka"

After studying the question: "To speak and write as correctly: Polka or Polka?", It is worthwhile to pay attention to why the word "Polishie" is still used in the speech of many people. After all, it is not only outdated, but it can create problems in relations with women of this nationality.

It turns out that the point is that the word "polka" is used not only as a resident of Poland, but also as a well-known Czech fast dance. For this reason, in order not to be misunderstood in conversation, many (regardless of how correctly: Polka or Polka) use the second word.

By the way, because of this coincidence, some people consider polka a Polish dance. Actually, its name was formed from the Czech word půlka (half step) and only by a misunderstanding was consonant with the term polka.

It is interesting that with this name there is also a Swedish dance polska ("polska"), which also has nothing to do with nationality.

Having considered the question: "To speak and write as correctly: Polka or Polka?", We can conclude that the presence of this problem indicates the richness of the Russian language, as well as the desire of its bearers at all times to look for their own names for alien words.