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Your support makes all the difference.The latest figures from the 2011 census reveal Polish has overtaken Punjabi as England's second language. 546,000 citizens now cite Polish as their native tongue, a rise which can be attributed to the influx of Polish immigrants following the expansion of the EU in 2004. (If this seems a small number, it should be noted many second generation immigrants speak Polish, Punjabi or another language as a second language after English.)
As well as an interesting insight into modern Britain, it seems a perfect opportunity to brush up on our Polish. So here are some phrases you might like to try out during your next trip to the local Polski Sklep...
UPDATE: We thought we could get away with using Google Translate. We were wrong. Lots of very kind (and clever) Polish-speaking readers of Independent Voices wrote in to provide us with superior translations which have now been included below. Dziękuję!
1. "Zubrowka vodka seems so passe. What should I serve at my dinner party?"
Rubbish Google translation: "Wódka Żubrówka wydaje się tak passe. Co mam służyć w mojej kolację strony?"
Iwona Taylor's translation: "Żubrówka już niemodna. Co innego mam podać na przyjęciu?"
2. "I hear the weather is delightful in Białowieża Forest at this time of year, but personally I prefer the driving sleet of Manchester."
Rubbish Google translation: "Słyszę pogoda jest wspaniałe w Puszczy Białowieskiej w tym czasie roku, ale osobiście wolę jazdy deszcz ze śniegiem w Manchesterze"
Zbyszek Fibinger's translation: "Słyszałam, że pogoda jest wspaniała w Puszczy Białowieskiej o tej porze roku, ale osobiście wolę jazdę w deszczu ze śniegiem w Manchesterze."
3. "Yes, the transition to a free market economy can be a bitch"
Rubbish Google translation: "Tak, przejście do gospodarki rynkowej może być suką."
Zuzanna Zofia's translation: "Tak, przejście do gospodarki wolnorynkowej potrafi być upierdliwe."
4. "Phew! That Robert Lewandowski is on great form. I hope to see him in the Premier League soon."
Rubbish Google translation: "Uff! Że Robert Lewandowski jest w świetnej formie. Mam nadzieję, że zobaczymy go w Premier League wkrótce."
Zbigniew 'ZJ' Jaworowski's translation: Uff! Ten Robert Lewandowski jest w świetnej formie. Mam nadzieję, że wkrótce zobaczymy go w Premier League.
5. "As I've always said, Three Colours: Red is the most under-appreciated of Kieslowski's trilogy"
Rubbish Google translation: "Jak zawsze mówiłem, Trzy kolory: Czerwony jest najbardziej niedoceniany trylogii Kieślowskiego."
Iwona's Taylor's translation: "Jak zawsze mówiłem Trzy kolory: Czerwony jest najbardziej niedoceniany z trylogii Kieślowskiego."
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