Polish

A language of Poland

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Polnisch

Autonym

język polski‎

Population

36,711,000 in Poland, all users. L1 users: 36,500,000 in Poland (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 211,000 (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 40,378,030 (as L1: 39,713,030; as L2: 665,000).

Location

Widespread.

Language Maps

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Ukraine

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1997, Constitution, Article 27).

Classification

Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic

Dialects

Upper Silesian, Masurian (Mazurian, Mazurski).

Typology

SVO; prepositions; noun head final; gender (masculine/feminine/neuter); no articles; case-marking (7 cases); verb affixes mark person, number; passives; aspect; comparatives; 30 consonant and 8 vowel phonemes; non-tonal; stress on penultimate syllable.

Language Use

Some also use English [eng] (European Commission 2006).

Language Development

Fully developed. Bible: 1561–2018.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Polish

Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Christian, Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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Czechia

Language namePolish

Population Full

33,600 in Czechia (2011 census).

Location

Moravia-Silesia region: Frydek-Mistek district.

Alternate Names

Polština

Status

5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2).

Other Comments

Christian.

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Germany

Language namePolish

Population Full

867,000 in Germany (2017 census). Based on nationality.

Location

Brandenburg and Sachsen states: Silesia area; Nordrhein-Westfalen state: Ruhr area.

Alternate Names

Polnisch

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Hungary

Language namePolish

Population Full

3,050 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 5,730 (2011 census).

Location

Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and Budapest counties.

Alternate Names

Lengyel

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Also use Hungarian [hun]. Probably all L1 speakers.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Israel

Language namePolish

Population Full

125,000 in Israel (2016). Ethnic population: 272,000.

Location

HaDarom district: ’Afula; HaZafon district: Nahalal area.

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use Hebrew [heb].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Jewish.

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Lithuania

Language namePolish

Population Full

615,000 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 161,000 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). L2 users: 454,000 (European Commission 2006).

Location

Alytaus, Kauno, Marijampoles, and Vilniaus counties.

Alternate Names

Lenku

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Lithuanian [lit].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Romania

Language namePolish

Population Full

2,080 in Romania (2014 UNSD).

Location

Suceava county.

Status

5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Russian Federation

Language namePolish

Population Full

67,400 in Russian Federation (2010 census).

Location

Rostov province (Masurian dialect).

Dialects

Masurian (Mazurian, Mazurski).

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Slovakia

Language namePolish

Population Full

3,120 in Slovakia (2013 UNSD).

Location

Scattered.

Status

6b* (Threatened).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Ukraine

Language namePolish

Population Full

18,700 in Ukraine (2001 census). Ethnic population: 144,000 (2001 census).

Location

Lviv region: 3 small interior enclaves.

Status

7 (Shifting). Recognized language (2004, Law, Status of Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine, Article 1(5)), protected language.

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Ethnologue

Polish

Primary tabs

A language of Poland

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