Problem zmiany językowej a normalizacja i kodyfikacja polszczyzny
The issue of language change in the face of the standardisation and codification of the Polish language

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with the relationship between language changes and the processes of standardisation and codification. Standardisation is understood here as a natural process, taking place as a result of transformations in linguistic usage (usus), in which one of the competing language variants gains advantage and usually replaces the older one. On the other hand, codification is an external phenomenon, controlled by specialists-linguists, who arbitrarily determine the standard binding in the language. As codification is usually carried out in conjunction with changes in linguistic usage, it then becomes a confirmation of the process of standardisation. However, in some instances linguists prefer certain forms despite common use being different, or they do not keep pace with changes. Consequently, the codified official standard may in some aspects differ significantly from linguistic usage. In the history of Polish culture, the XIX century is a clear caesura. Before this period, standardisation proceeded in a natural way, without the interference of linguists, so the changes in the language system were significant at that time. Since the XIX century, because every change has been evaluated by specialists, certain natural language processes have been slowed down. As a result of the development of linguistics and the increased role of linguists in social life in the XX century, the role of codification factors increased significantly, although many linguists maintain a cautious attitude towards the observed changes.

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