Polish translation

Polish translation is the process of converting text from one language, such as English, to Polish. Polish is a West Slavic language spoken by over 40 million people as a native language, primarily in Poland. It is the second most widely spoken Slavic language after Russian.

Polish translation can be done manually or with the help of machine translation tools. Manual translation is performed by a human translator who has a deep understanding of both English and Polish. Machine translation tools, on the other hand, use algorithms to translate text from one language to another.

Machine translation tools have become increasingly accurate in recent years, but they are still not perfect. Human translators are still needed for complex or sensitive translations, such as legal documents or medical records.

There are a variety of Polish translation services available online and in person. Online translation services are typically less expensive than in-person services, but they may not be as accurate. In-person translation services are more expensive, but they offer a higher level of accuracy and confidentiality.

When choosing a Polish translation service, it is important to consider the type of translation you need, the budget you have, and the turnaround time you require.

Here are some tips for getting a good Polish translation:

• Choose a translation service that specializes in the type of translation you need.
• Provide the translation service with clear instructions and a glossary of any specialized terms that need to be translated accurately.
• Proofread the translation carefully before accepting it.

Professional and Certified Polish Translators

In accordance with the quality policy of Baltic Media^®, translation into the language required by the client is carried out by a Polish translator who is a NATIVE speaker of Polish and/or who resides in Poland.

We employ only professional Polish translation specialists with a college/university degree in linguistics and/or with experience in Polish translation work with/without specialisation in a specific field.

We have implemented and we work in accordance with the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System; thus, we have improved the Polish translation project coordination and Polish translator selection procedure. Baltic Media^® has its own Polish translator testing system. Criteria: linguistic education, at least 5 years of experience in Polish translation, references from other clients and a Polish test translation.

Polish Translation Services by Native Polish Translators

1. Each Polish translation goes through three stages: translation, editing and proof-reading.
2. Polish translators work with such translation programs as SDL Trados Studio and Memsource, which ensure consistent terminology.
3. Data security, storage and confidentiality are our responsibilities. Finished Polish translations are stored on our servers. If you ever lose your Polish translation, we will find it in our electronic archives.
4. Educated, competent and service-oriented Polish translation project managers who constantly improve their qualifications in Polish project management.
5. Civil liability insurance against any possible translation mistakes — the insurance company will compensate the loss caused to the client. While no such case has ever occurred in the history of the Baltic Media^® operation, the insurance serves as an additional guarantee for the client.
6. We work globally and have 30 years of international work experience, as our customers and translators are located on every continent.
7. Additional services include layout design for Polish translations and pre-print preparation. When submitting the copy for Polish translation to us, you may choose to receive the layout ready to print. We offer a layout design service (DTP — Desktop Publishing).

Other than operating with the most commonly used text processing software, for instance, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Apple Pages, desktop publishing (DTP) software Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, we also use special translation software such as SDL Trados Studio, Memsource and Wordfast, thus forming clients’ terminology databases.

In addition, we offer text conversion from/to PC and Mac platforms and preparation of PDF and printing proofs.

Our specialists are also experienced in Polish web site and software localisation and translation of subtitles, voice-overs, dubbing of TV programmes, movie trailers, video games, radio programmes and commercials into Polish.

The Baltic Media^® Nordic-Baltic Translation agency is a leading provider of digital translation services in Northern Europe specialising in Northern European (incl. Nordic, Baltic, Slavic) languages mostly in translation services from/into Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Icelandic, Faroese, Norwegian, German, English, Polish, Russian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian.

As an ISO certified language service provider, the Baltic Media^® translation agency offers human translation services for corporate, governmental and private clients.

Language family: Indo-European, Slavic languages, Polish

Polish is mostly spoken in Poland, which is the European country in which most inhabitants regard the official language as being their mother tongue. The Polish language has been most influenced by Latin, Czech, French, German, Italian and Russian, and in recent years has been much influenced by English.

Official language of: Poland, European Union

Language code ISO 639-1: PL

The Polish language (język polski) is a vibrant and historically rich West Slavic language spoken primarily in Poland. It serves as the official language of Poland and is the native tongue of approximately 45 million people worldwide. Beyond Poland, significant Polish-speaking communities exist in countries such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, and Australia, among others.

Classification and History

Polish belongs to the West Slavic subgroup of the Slavic language family, which also includes Czech, Slovak, and the Sorbian languages. Within West Slavic, Polish is part of the Lechitic branch, closely related to Kashubian and Silesian. The earliest written records of Polish date back to the 10th century, with the language evolving through various historical phases influenced by neighboring languages and political changes.

Phonology

Polish has a rich and complex sound system characterized by:

• Consonants: Polish features a variety of consonant sounds, including affricates like /tʂ/ ("cz") and /dʑ/ ("dź"), fricatives such as /ʂ/ ("sz") and /ʐ/ ("ż"), and the unique lateral fricative /ɬ/ ("ł"), which is pronounced similarly to the English "w".
• Vowels: The language has six oral vowels (/a, e, i, o, u, y/) and two nasal vowels (/ą/ and /ę/), which are relatively rare among Slavic languages.
• Stress: Typically, stress in Polish words falls on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable, although there are exceptions, especially in loanwords.

Writing System

Polish utilizes the Latin alphabet augmented with several diacritic marks to represent specific sounds:

• Ą, Ć, Ę, Ł, Ń, Ó, Ś, Ź, Ż

These characters are essential for accurate pronunciation and meaning. For example, "ł" is pronounced like the English "w," and "ś" represents a softer "sh" sound.

Grammar

Polish grammar is known for its complexity, particularly due to its inflectional nature. Key grammatical features include:

• Cases: There are seven grammatical cases (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, instrumental, locative, and vocative) that affect nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and numerals. These cases indicate the grammatical function of words within a sentence.
• Gender: Nouns are classified into three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. This classification affects adjective agreement and verb conjugation.
• Number: Polish distinguishes between singular and plural forms.
• Verb Conjugation: Verbs conjugate based on person, number, tense (past, present, future), aspect (perfective and imperfective), and mood (indicative, imperative, conditional).
• Aspect: A fundamental feature in Slavic languages, aspect distinguishes between completed (perfective) and ongoing or habitual (imperfective) actions.

Vocabulary and Influences

Polish vocabulary has been shaped by various linguistic influences over the centuries:

• Latin: Especially in religious, legal, and academic contexts.
• German: Due to historical interactions and geographical proximity.
• French: Particularly during periods when French culture was prestigious in Europe.
• Russian: Influences from periods of partition and political dominance.
• English: Modern influences, especially in technology, business, and popular culture.

Polish also includes numerous loanwords and has contributed words to other languages, reflecting its cultural and historical interactions.

Dialects and Regional Variations

While Standard Polish is used in official settings, education, and media, various regional dialects exist across Poland. These dialects may differ in pronunciation, vocabulary, and sometimes grammar but are generally mutually intelligible. Notable dialects include:

• Greater Polish
• Lesser Polish
• Mazovian
• Silesian (sometimes considered a separate language)
• Kashubian (also often regarded as a distinct language)

Current Status and Usage

Polish is a dynamic language actively used in literature, media, education, and daily communication. It is one of the most widely spoken Slavic languages and holds significant cultural importance. The language continues to evolve, incorporating new terms and expressions, particularly in response to technological advancements and globalization.

Learning Polish

Learning Polish can be challenging due to its grammatical complexity and pronunciation, but it is also rewarding. Resources for learners include:

• Language Courses: Offered by universities, language schools, and online platforms.
• Textbooks and Workbooks: Comprehensive materials for structured learning.
• Online Resources: Websites, apps (like Duolingo, Babbel), and language exchange platforms.
• Media Consumption: Engaging with Polish films, music, books, and news to enhance comprehension and vocabulary.
• Immersion: Practicing with native speakers through conversation partners or travel to Polish-speaking regions.

Cultural Significance

Polish is not only a means of communication but also a carrier of Poland's rich cultural heritage. It plays a crucial role in preserving national identity, literature, folklore, and traditions. Celebrated Polish authors like Henryk Sienkiewicz, Wisława Szymborska, and Czesław Miłosz have made significant contributions to world literature.