O nowej syntezie rozwoju polszczyzny na Śląsku
The new synthesis of evolution of the Polish language in Silesia

Author(s): Bogusław Wyderka
Subject(s): Language studies, Language and Literature Studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Western Slavic Languages
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: the history of Polish in Silesia; scope of description; methodology
Summary/Abstract: The progress of historical research, new interpretation of socio-political events and cultural changes form new premises dissertating for the necessity of creating a new synthesis of the history of the Polish language in Silesia. Thus far noted compendia do not clarify the historical background of the modern linguistic changes taking place in contemporary Silesia. In the article, the author presented the basic methodological assumptions of the proponed synthesis. Description of the issues should focus on two axes. The first one is the evolution of the normalized polish language that is settled in official usage and Silesian writing. This variation is characterized by canon import, system and stylistic archaisms and the development’s irregularity. The latter axis of the description focuses on the issue of the evolution of Silesian dialects in the systematic and functional aspect. The Silesian polish language developed under specific conditions – domination of two languages: Czech and German in particular. Therefore the matters connected with the linguistic policy of the countries, which boarders were Silesian, as well as with the formation of linguistic awareness of Silesians and linguistic changes being the result of postwar immigration will be discussed. The implied range of the description taking into consideration Silesian multiculturalism demand a specified methodological approach. The author formulates some rules that enable to meet those demands. Moreover, he discusses some specific issues such as the cognitive and material values of the studies published in recent years, issues connected with periodization of the historical events, and the canon of sources. The synthesis will be closed by the discussion of the discourse about the Silesian language status that last since the 1990s.

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