Another important issue that every person learning Polish as a foreign language should be familiar with in detail is softenings. What are their meanings in everyday use, considering not only the pronunciation but also the spelling of the words? Why does mastering the indicated issue prove to be quite a challenge for foreigners? Find out what softenings are in Polish and how you can learn them effectively!
What are softenings in Polish? Definition of
Softening in Polish is a change in the pronunciation of a consonant (the sound resembles a combination of it with „j”), as a result of which it acquires a soft, gentle, more „soft” sound. Such a phenomenon is palatalization, which is precisely the softening of a voice.
In Polish, consonants can be softened in two ways:
- By adding the letter „i” after a consonant – for example: „si” in the word „hay”, „ci” in the word „cake”, „ni” in „Sunday”.
- Through the use of diacritical marks – that is, special graphic characters above the letter, such as „¶”, „ć”, „ñ”, „ź”, „dź”. Examples include „bone,” „ointment,” „horse.”
Words with softenings – spelling rules
Softenings are present in Polish in large numbers. What rules govern them? Here are the highlights:
- Softening denoted by the letter „i” – involves adding the letter „i” after a consonant, such notation is used before the vowels „a”, „o”, „e”, „u”, „y” (for example, „sister”, „sky”, „heat”, „earth”).
- Softening with diacritical marks – used if the softening occurs before a consonant or at the end of a word (e.g., „bear”, „five”, „elephant”, „bear”, „boat”, „blade”).
Why are softenings difficult for learners of Polish?
Softenings in Polish are often a complicated subject for foreigners. There are at least several reasons for this. First, in some foreign languages such a phenomenon does not occur or takes a slightly different form. Secondly, the difference between, for example, „s” and „ś” or „c” and „ć” can be difficult for foreigners to grasp (both in speech and writing). The third problem that concerns softenings in Polish is the variety of notation – sometimes the letter „i” is added, while other times diacritical marks are used, which can cause some confusion.
How to learn to use softenings correctly in Polish?
Learning to soften takes practice, but there are several effective methods that can help with this. First of all, you should listen to a lot of Polish spoken language – conversations, songs, or movies. This allows you to become accustomed to the sound of softened consonants and easily recognize them. It’s also a good idea to read aloud words with softenings (e.g., excerpts from books or newspaper articles), or to create and say rhymes and language puzzles with such words to train proper pronunciation. It is also recommended to reach for exercise materials and perform the sample tasks contained in them, or to build sentences on their own from words containing softenings. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! After all, every mistake a student can eliminate is a step forward in the learning process.
You already know what softenings are in Polish! Remember the theoretical issues related to them, but also focus on the practical aspect, that is, taking actions that will help you understand and master the characterized issue. If you assimilate this information, play the role of a keen observer, looking for softenings in speech and writing. Good luck with your Polish language studies!
