Comments for Kashubian Informational Site http://en.kaszubia.com kashubian history, language... Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:33:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Instead of introduction by Jurk http://en.kaszubia.com/general/introduction/comment-page-1#comment-42 Jurk Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:33:17 +0000 http://en.kaszubia.com/?p=556#comment-42 Wincenty, Thank you for the post. Unfortunately your mother’s situation was typical. Many Kashubs felt “schizophrenic” as they often felt they had to choose between being Kashubian and Polish. After the WWII, the situation worsens and any attempts to promote Kashubian culture (especially language) was seen as “separatist” in nature and thus sharply opposed. Although with Kashubian recognized as a minority language (there are no oppressions today), many Kashubs don’t’ always know what to do with their Kashubism treating it as an uncomfortable stigma. What we also observe in Kashubia is the regrettable tendency to abandon the Kashubian language. Consequently, many Kashubians cannot speak their own language anymore. I fully concur with your last statement and hope the Kashubs will grow into appreciating their unique, and sadly, fading culture. Yurek Wincenty,

Thank you for the post. Unfortunately your mother’s situation was typical. Many Kashubs felt “schizophrenic” as they often felt they had to choose between being Kashubian and Polish. After the WWII, the situation worsens and any attempts to promote Kashubian culture (especially language) was seen as “separatist” in nature and thus sharply opposed. Although with Kashubian recognized as a minority language (there are no oppressions today), many Kashubs don’t’ always know what to do with their Kashubism treating it as an uncomfortable stigma. What we also observe in Kashubia is the regrettable tendency to abandon the Kashubian language. Consequently, many Kashubians cannot speak their own language anymore.

I fully concur with your last statement and hope the Kashubs will grow into appreciating their unique, and sadly, fading culture.

Yurek

]]> Comment on Instead of introduction by Buklis, Wincenty http://en.kaszubia.com/general/introduction/comment-page-1#comment-41 Buklis, Wincenty Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:07:46 +0000 http://en.kaszubia.com/?p=556#comment-41 My mother, a Brunka who emigrated with her brothers, was afraid of two things: 1) that her ability to speak German would isolate her from the Polish community;2) that her knowledge of the Kaszub language would similarly isolate her not only from the Polish community, but also from her husband. Thus, I speak Polish as a first language, only found out about my kaszub roots when my mother died at age 93. I now know how to say the Lord's Prayer po kaszebsczi, but not much else. I offered help to a project creating a English/Polish/kaszebe dctionary online, so that I might learn more. Knowing that the Polish national anthem was composed by a kaszub, knowing that a large percentage of teh cavalry that helped Sobieski to rout the Turks at the siege of Vienna helps me to understand better the pride with which I should identify myself. Not German, not Polish, we are a more ancient people than either of the first two, but sandwiched between two competing cultures adn political systems in Europe. Let's celebrate the fact that we still exist, that we can still learn more about ourselves. My mother, a Brunka who emigrated with her brothers, was afraid of two things: 1) that her ability to speak German would isolate her from the Polish community;2) that her knowledge of the Kaszub language would similarly isolate her not only from the Polish community, but also from her husband.
Thus, I speak Polish as a first language, only found out about my kaszub roots when my mother died at age 93.

I now know how to say the Lord’s Prayer po kaszebsczi, but not much else. I offered help to a project creating a English/Polish/kaszebe dctionary online, so that I might learn more.
Knowing that the Polish national anthem was composed by a kaszub, knowing that a large percentage of teh cavalry that helped Sobieski to rout the Turks at the siege of Vienna helps me to understand better the pride with which I should identify myself.
Not German, not Polish, we are a more ancient people than either of the first two, but sandwiched between two competing cultures adn political systems in Europe.
Let’s celebrate the fact that we still exist, that we can still learn more about ourselves.

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