A Polish Christmas
First of all, your paella receipe is fantastic, Silvia! A real cookery lesson, complete with mouth-watering illustrations. When I first read your comment "Probably your first paella won’t be a resounding success…." I thought it was a bit discouraging, but then I read the rest of the sentence: "but I assure you that after having cooked ten paellas you’ll become an expert Paella cook" and I think that's a very nice encouraging way to end the recipe.
There's a more economical way of saying "Depending on one's liking, add a pinch of salt if necessary." In recipes, the usual way of expressing this is "Add salt to taste".
Today I'll tell you something about how Christmas is celebrated in Poland. Of course, you should bear in mind that not everybody observes all these traditions strictly.
On December 24th, the whole family gathers for the Christmas meal, which starts when the first star appears in the sky in the late afternoon. Before they sit down to eat, everyone takes a thin wafer made of flour and water, and they break off a piece of each others' wafers in turn, and exchange good wishes. There should be an empty chair at the table, in case an unexpected guest turns up, or a person in need, and there should be twelve dishes on the table (no meat!) There are also lots of regional variations, but the most typical dishes include carp (a type of fish), herring (e.g. in oil with onion, or in cream with apple and onion), 'pierogi' (small boiled pastries filled with sauerkraut and dried mushrooms), 'barszcz' (beetroot soup), kutia (a sweet dish made from wheat, poppy seeds, honey, nuts and raisins) and compote made from dried fruit. But bread can also be counted as one of the twelve 'dishes', and so can potatoes, for example. You're supposed to taste all twelve dishes to ensure good luck during the coming year. The table is covered with a white tablecloth with some hay spread underneath it.
After the Christmas dinner people exchange presents, or children find their presents under the Christmas tree, and later on a lot of people go to church for midnight mass.
However, my wife and me won't be having a Polish Christmas, because we're going to England to spend Christmas and the New Year with my mother.
You asked whether I miss any English traditions or anything special from the UK. Well, not much really. For one thing, I don't find Poland so enormously different. And for another thing, I visit England pretty often - about five times a year, usually. But I must say I do miss English pubs, because of the beer and the atmosphere, and because a lot of them are buildings of historical interest.
A few points that various people raised:
Anastasia - You asked if I've ever seen insects in amber - only in shops and museums, I'm afraid!
Ernesto - It seems that amber occurs particularly around the Baltic Sea, for some reason. I don't know whether you can also find it in other parts of the world. And thanks for reminding me about Jurassic Park!
Silwal Kishor - You asked how travel agents arrange visits to the dunes. But they don't - people just go there by themselves. The dunes form part of a national park, and there's no motor traffic allowed, but you can walk, cycle or go in a horse-drawn carriage or a little sort of electric taxi. You can also travel part of the way by boat across a lake. It's about 8 km. from Łeba. I'll see if I can dig out some more dune photos.
Christine Yes, it's about 400 km. to Warsaw. I always go by train - I can't drive, anyway. The train isn't very fast, but it's a good opportunity to read, listen to music, catch up with work and so on. You also asked about Polish. It's pretty difficult, yes, but not impossible.
Tiasha - You talked about a place where the Indian Ocean and a river blend together. We use the word 'estuary' or simply 'mouth' of a river for the place where a river flows into the sea. But maybe the place you mean is somehow different?
The English title of the book 'Schiffbruch mit Tiger', which Christine mentions, is 'Life of Pi'.
Now, here are the answers to yesterday's 'as & like' quiz:
1 For them, Spanish is a second language, like English.
2 Like Silvia, I live near a beach.
3 Languages such as Spanish and French derive from Latin.
4 Have you ever worked as a shop assistant?
5 It looks like an old building, but it isn't.
6 I don't know as much as you about Spanish literature.
7 The train was late, as usual.
I seem to be getting forgetful as my brain becomes more and more fossilised. I realised that I forgot to give you the correct versions of these sentences from December 6th:
Is evident its Arabic cultural heritage.
What does it mean the expression "irse de tapas"?
It's also traditional the chocolate yule log.
They should be:
Its Arabic cultural heritage is evident.
What does the expression "irse de tapas" mean?
The chocolate yule log is also traditional.
Next, I've collected some sentences written by different blog-readers. Can you spot the mistakes, and correct them?
1 I always mix up when I have to write a sentence like that.
2 Thank you for the informations about Warsaw, I know very less about it.
3 In this day [January 6th] folk groups use to drop in the houses.
4 The smell (or odour) by night of the orange blossom .....
5 In Italy there are already festive air....Christmas is coming!
6 It is impossible for us to intervene the trend.
7 Their factories sell quality shoes at a price that cannot be competed.
8 Do you like jogging? also I !
9 Cut of job in footwear industries are compensated by growing in construction and other industries may be a great relief for local inhabitants and new ray of hope for better future.
10 People are happy and thats above all.
11 There’re typical regional cakes.
12 It was very interesting your explanation about the Valentian language.
13 For Christmas I often cook a soup [.....] that is more than tasteful.
14 I’m in completely in dark side about Christian culture.
15 Even, there were people sunbathing
16 It recalls me other books.
And here's a mystery for you, if you like linguistic detective work: When I looked through my 10th December blog 'Trip to Warsaw', I noticed that I'd missed a word out of one sentence - can you spot where there's a word missing?
Next time, something about books and films
To end with for today, a photo of me in the woods near the beach.
Comments
Hello Jonathan, it's very nice to hear something about the Christmas traditions in Poland. What is the reason for, that they don't eat any meat? And what a warm gesture to let an empty chair at the table in expectation of another guest or a person in need.Is there a special reason for the number of 12 dishes? Thank you very much for your personal answer. Have you read the book " Life of Pi"? Did you enjoy it? I'll try to correct some sentences, but only a few, because I'm not sure enough to correct them all. I know, I wrote the second sentence and I'll try it once more:2)Thank you for the informations about Warsaw, I know very little about it ( I hope it's now correct) 3) At this day folk groups use to drop in the houses 8) Do you like jogging? Me too. 10) People are happy, and that's all 12) The explanation about the Valentian language was very interesting I'm not a good linguistic detective, I don't find the missing word.The photo of you near the beach is very nice. See you soon, bye
I´m no sure, but don´t you have to say:I don't know as much as you do about Spanish literature. But on the other hand,"you" can either be subject or object. Any way, let's see what can I do with the other sentences: 1 I always mix up when I have to write a sentence like that.I always get confused.... 2 Thank you for the informations about Warsaw, I know very less about it. Thank you for the information...., I know very little about it. 3 On this day [January 6th] folk groups usually drop by people houses. 4 The smell (or odour) of the oranges in blossom at night ....or the orange blossom smell at night.. 5 In Italy there is festive air....Christmas is coming! 6 It is impossible for us to intervene the trend....to stop the trend. ..to change the trend.(I'm not sure I understand what the writer meant.) 7 Their factories sell quality shoes at a price that cannot be beaten down. 8 Do you like jogging? So do I! 9 Work shortage in footwear industries are being compensated by a growing number of jobs in construction and in other industries. That can be a great relief for the local inhabitants and (a new ray of) hope for a better future. 10 People are happy and that's very impoortant. Above all, people are happy. 11 There are typical cakes from the region. 12 Your explanation about the Valentian language was very interesting. 13 For Christmas I often cook a soup [.....] that is more than tasty 14 I’m completely ignorant about Christian culture. 15 There were even people sunbathing 16 It reminds me of other books.
Hello Jonathan! The night is so beautiful here! The sky is clear and you can see all the stars and a gentle wind is refreshing the air. How is the weather in Leba? Is it cold? Well, Christmas traditions in Poland sounds great to me. It´s interesting to know that there´s no meat. Anyway, I tried to do the homework, I´m looking forward to the answers: 1 I get always confuse when I have to write sentences like that. 2 Thank you for the informations about Warsaw, I know a little about it. 3 In this day [January 6th] folk groups come round the houses. 4 The smell (or odour) of the orange blossom at night..... 5 In Italy there is already a festive air....Christmas is coming! 6 It is impossible to us intervene the trend. 7 Their factories sell quality shoes at a price that cannot compete. 8 Do you like jogging? so do I ! 9 Cut of job in footwear industries has been compensated by the growing in construction and other industries may be a great relief for local inhabitants and new ray of hope for better future. 10 People are happy above all. 11 There’re typical cakes. 12 It was very interesting your explanation about Valentian language. 13 For Christmas I often cook a soup [.....] that is very tasteful. 14 I’m completely in the dark side about Christian culture. 15 There were even people sunbathing 16 It recalls me other book. I think it´s all. Good night Jonathan, see you soon, Ana Paula.
G’day Jo, Hope everyone is doing great. The photo is good. You look like Socrates. (Ha, ha) To my knowledge- This sentence, later, you refer to two accents in Valencia: could be referred. Let me try to spot the mistakes, 1. 1 I always mix up when I have to write a sentence like that - I always up, when I write a sentence like that. 2. 2 Thank you for the informations about Warsaw, I know very less about it- Thank you for the information’s about Warsaw 3. In this day [January 6th] folk groups use to drop in the houses-On this day 4. 4 The smell (or odour) by night of the orange blossom – The night smells of Orange blossom. 5. In Italy there are already festive air....Christmas is coming!- In Italy there is a festive air 6. It is impossible for us to intervene the trend. It is impossible for us to intervene in this/the trend 7. Their factories sell quality shoes at a price that cannot be competed – Those factories sell quality shoes at a price that can not be matched 8. Do you like jogging? also I ! – Do you like jogging?- I do like it 9. Cut of job in footwear industries are compensated by growing – Job cut in the footwear industries are compensated 10. People are happy and thats above all – People are happy and that’s everything. 11. There’re typical regional cakes.- They are typical regional cakes. 12. It was very interesting your explanation about the Valentian language – The explanation about the Valentian language is interesting. 13. For Christmas I often cook a soup [.....] that is more than tasteful – For Christmas I often cook a soup [.....]which is more than tasteful 14. I’m in completely in dark side about Christian culture – I am completely in a darker side about Christian culture. 15. Even, there were people sunbathing – Even there are people sunbathing 16. It recalls me other books. It recalls me of other books. I am looking forward to correct my mistakes. Cheerio, Praveen Raj
Dear Jonathan, it may seem repititious to you, but thank you for the interesting account of how Christmas is celebrated in Poland. Here in Russia we also have «pierogi», but they are pieces of puffy dough stuffed with minced meat, chopped eggs or various chopped vegetables and they can be either fried or baked. By the way, I think I have found the word you missed out in you last blog. It is the word «it» in the sentence «The best-known ones are Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and Rumanian, but there are others too, as Silvia makes IT clear». Sincerely, Ana. Here is my HOMEWORK: 1 I always get confused when I have to write a sentence like that. 2 Thank you for the information about Warsaw, I know very little about it. 3 On this day [January 6th] folk groups used to drop in the houses. 4 The smell (or odour) of the orange blossom at night..... 5 In Italy there is festive air .... Christmas is coming! 6 It is impossible for us to stop the trend. 7 Their factories sell quality shoes at a price our factories can't compete with. 8 Do you like jogging? So do I! 9 The job cuts in footwear industry are compensated for by the growth in construction and other industries which may be a great relief for local inhabitants and a new ray of hope for a better future. 10 People are happy and that's the most important thing. 11 There’re traditional regional cakes. 12 Your explanation about the Valentian language was very interesting. 13 For Christmas I often make soup [.....] that is more than tasty. 14 I’m completely in the dark about Christian culture. 15 There were even sunbathing people. 16 It reminds me of other books.
Hi Jonathan, it was very interesting to hear about Polish Christmas celebrations, barszcz is my very favourite soup. Finns and Polish people share their love to herrings I also noticed, although I won´t be eating them this year, as I am away for next couple of weeks. So being absent for a while, I want to wish you and your family a very happy time in England over the Christmas period. Hopefully we will be having you as our tutor in January. Best wishes to all also!
Hi Jonathan and all beloved readers First of all , Congratulation to BBC ELT and all Blogers for going to the second round of judging in ELT08 . I keep my fingers crossed . Now I 'm proud of myself for surfing this web page for more than one year for brushing up my English skills . By the way it was really interesting for me as I realized In , Persian we say "Lahestan " to Poland . I always was wandering why I haven’t heard the name of Poland in Persian . The idea comes to my mind that I 've heard about Warsaw in the world war II movies . I tried to find some photo of Warsaw in the Net and how beautiful is it , innit ? I really impressed with seeing your dunes photos , Jonathan and I really love them . They reminds me image of deserts . I have n't seen some thing like that in the beach before , and now I know the reason of it as you said that motor vehicles are not allowed to pass in the beach areas , am I right ?Oh what a difficult job for me to do these home works . I 'm always weak at finding mistakes and so I 'm always said , I have n't borned to a teacher .I know as usual , Ana pual and other intelligent readers have put the answers before me , that hit the nail on the heat ( lovely jubly ;) .Here are my answers : 1)when I have to write a sentence like that, I always get confused . 2) Thank you for the informations about Warsaw, I knew very less about it . 3) In this day [January 6th] folk groups use to drop into the houses. 4(The smell of orange blossom at night . 5 ( In Italy , there are some festive , that run up the Christmas . 6) It is impossible for us to change trends. 7( Their factories , sell qualified shoes , with such a price that no one can compete with it . 8( Do you like jogging like me ? 9) Sorry , this one was really long for correcting . 10) People are happy and it 's beyond of it . 11) There’re some special regional cakes. 12)Your explanation about the Valentian , were really interesting. 13) For Christmas I often cook a soup which is really tasteful. 14)I’m completely in the dark about Christians cultures . 15)Even , there were some people who sunbathing . 16) It reminds me some other books. Now , have a nice time and laters !
Hi teacher Jonathan! It would last ages until I end up dealing with your specially choosen sentences. I find this way interesting and as a good challenge towards us, the readers. Thanks! I only try to correct my one..yet I´ve been at the beginning..I should have written, yesterday. You know, I was about to write so, but in my language there is only one possibility of `be´in present tense and it was stronger in my fingers typing (subconsciously emphasise) the slovak vession. I appeciate you are such a sober teacher in contrast to sweet amiable Rachel. Sunny regardes today!
Hi Jonathan! It was really great to read about polish Christmas tradition in English :) thanks for that! It is everything like you had written. And such "thin wafer" is name "opłatek" and it's tasting deletions! But for all Christmas I like most how it smell: a litter bit Christmas three, a litter bit cinnamon and sweets cake, a litter bit mushrooms & sauerkraut... and I don't know what else, Christmas smell a bit sweet and a bit chill in Poland, it's interesting that in the other country's it is similar? In Poland or maybe only for my is really unique smell end I feel it only one's a year - oh it also is greater :) By the way I'm from Warsaw and I'm wandering what had you visited her and haw you like this city? Sorry for my English... A lot of errors....? Best wishes! :) Olga
Hi!I´ll try if I succed in correcting the sentences.1-I have always mixed it up when I have to write a sentence like this. 2-Thank you for the information about Warsaw, I do know very little about it. 3-On the day(January 6th),folk groups used to (would) drop in the houses. 4-? 5-In Italy, there is a festive air already...Christmas is coming! 6-We are unable to intervene (influence) the trend. 7-? 8-? 9-Decrease of jobs at footwear industries is compensated by growing in the building and other industries which may be a great relief for local inhabitants and a new ray of hope for the better future. 10-People are happy and that´s above all. 11-? 12-Your explanation about the Valentian language was very interesting. 13-On Christmas Day I often used to cook soup(...)which is more than tasteful. 14-I´m completely in the dark about Christian culture. 15-Even, people were sunbathing there. 16-?
Hi Jonathan, you look better on the photo of this entry than on the banner image.
Hello Jonathan, thank you for leting me know the word 'estuary' which is used for the place where a river and an ocean blend to gether.After you mentioned the word, I looked up in the dictionary.It is a pleasure to hear that you and your wife are going to England to spend christmas and New year with your mother.Polish Christmas sounds very interesting.Now I an going to do my home work.1)I always mix up words when I write a sentense like that. 2)Thank you for the informations about Warsaw,I know a little about it. 3)On the day, January 6th, folk groups use to drop by the houses.4)The smell of the orange blosson at night...5)In Italy there is already festive in air...6) It is impossible for us to intervene into the trend.7) Their factories sell quality shoes at lower price ,no one can compete with that price. 8) Do you like joggging? so do I. 9)It is coposite of two or more sentenses.It should be seperated. Sorry,I couldn't be able to correct that.10)People are happy that is impotant than everything else. 11) They are typical regional cakes. 12) Your explanation about valentian language was very interesting.During christmas time ,I often cook a soup which is more tasteful than other dishes.14) I am completely in dark side about Christian culture.15)There were people sunbathing too. 16) It reminds me of other books.It is very difficult to work as a linguistic detective to find only one missing word in your last blog. kind regards.
Dear Jonathan, Thank you very much to tell us about Polish way of celebrating Christmas. I don’t know the tradition of other countries and I can’t compare with others. I can claim that I got some ideas how it is celebrated in some part of Poland because you have already mentioned that that tradition may not be followed strictly. I tried to correct sentence as you rose posted by some of us. 1 I am always mixed up when I have to write a sentence like that. 2 Thank you for the information about Warsaw, I know very little about it. 3 In that day [January 6th] folk groups use to drop in the houses. 4 The smell (or odour) of blossom of orange trees at night... 5 In Italy, festive air is already there ....Christmas is coming! 6 It is not possible for us in the intervening the trend. 7 These factories sell quality shoes at a price that can’t be competed. 8 Do you like jogging? Also I! 9 Cut of jobs in footwear industries are compensated by growing in construction and other industries may be a great relief for local inhabitants and a new ray of hope for better future. 10 People are happy and that’s above all. 11 They’re typical regional cakes. 12 Your explanation about the Valencian language was very interesting. 13 For Christmas I often cook a soup [.....] that is more tasteful than usual. 14 I’m completely in dark side about Christian culture. 15 Even, there were people taking sunbathe 16 It recalled me the other books.
G'day Jonathan, It was interesting to read about Christmas traditions in Poland. It's been great to hear about Christmas traditions from everyone. As for detecting the missing word, is it 'a couple of more things'? (apologies for not handing in the complete HW) Naheed
Hi Jonathan, I assume the missing word was "it" in the makes it clear. Here's my assignment...1 I always (fail to differentiate/get mixed up) when I have to write a sentence like that. 2 Thank you for the (information) about Warsaw, I know very (little) about it. 3 (At) this day [January 6th] folk groups (-) drop in the houses. 4 The smell (or odour) of the orange blossom (by night)..... 5 In Italy there (is) already (a) festive air....Christmas is coming! 6 It is impossible for us to intervene( in )the trend. 7 Their factories sell quality shoes at a (very low)price. 8 Do you like jogging? (So am I !) 9 )The job cuts) in the footwear industry is compensated by (a growth) in the field of construction and other areas of industry.This (might) be a great relief for( the) ocal inhabitants and (a )new ray of hope for (a )better future. 10 People are happy and thats (very crucial.) 11 There’re typical cakes (in the region/ of the area). 12 your explanation about the Valentian language (was very interesting). 13 For Christmas I often cook (-) soup [.....] that is more (quite) tasteful. 14 I’m completely (in the dark ) about Christian culture. 15 Even, there were people sunbathing 16 It (reminds ) me (of)other books.
Hi Jonathan, Thanks for the Polish Christmas tradition. I was wondering why explicitly there is not meat in the dishes. Unfortunately I won’t have time enough to correct the sentences even if I am not wrong there are two from my comments. I intend to print all the blogs and have a closer look when I am in Spain from the 22nd December for Christmas holidays.
Hello Jonathan! I find it interesting how Chistmas is celebrated in Poland. All twelve dishes symbolizing twelve months of the year should be tasted ( A strenuous work for the stomach!). I'm afraid I have to skip a couple of meals before Christmas dinner to get good luck the whole coming year ;-). Oh, What a heavy task you set for us! I have read your 'Trip to Warsaw' blog three times but I couldn't trace Mr. Missing Word except a suspicious-looking guy - Miss. 'The' in "The word 'Romance' is ultimately derived from 'Rome' - it was used as "THE" name for a certain type of mediaeval literature, and it was the origin of the modern meaning of 'romance' and 'romantic'. Now, I hand her over to you for further investigation. Next, I'll give it a go at the nice homework: 1/I'm always mixed up when I have to write a sentence like that. 2/Thank you for the information about Warsaw, I just know a little about it. (Me,too). 3/On this day [Jan 6th] folk groups used to drop / drop in on the houses. 4/At night the smell (or odour) of the orange blossom .... 5/In Italy there is already festive air... Christmas is coming! 6/It is impossible for us to intervene in the trend. 7/ Their factories sell quality shoes at a price that cannot be competed with. 8/Do you like jogging? So do I! 9/ Cuts in jobs in footwear industries that compensate for the growth of construction and other industries may be a great relief for local inhabitants and a new ray of hope for better future. 10/People are happy and that's above all. 11/There are typically regional cakes. 12/ I'm interested in your explanation of Valentian language. / Your explanation of Valentian language are very interesting. 13/At Christmas I often cook a soup [...] that is more tasty. 14/I'm in complete ignorance of Christmas culture. 15/There were even people sunbathing ... 16/ It recalls me to other books. That's all. I look forward to your next blog. P.S: I like Praveen Raj's idea from India about you looking like Socrates. I totally agree with him/her (sorry, I'm not sure of him or her). All the best, Myen.
Thanks for all your contributions. This blog has now closed and can no longer accept new comments.
