The Place of the Romani Language and Culture in Poland: Questionnaire Based Insights

Anna Bloch-Rozmej

doi:10.18290/rh206811-3

Anna Bloch-Rozmej John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8675-1726

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18290/rh206811-3

Keywords: Romani, culture, language, attitudes, stereotypes

Abstract

This article presents an overview of the Romani culture and language in Poland and discusses the results of the Romani-related research in the form of an online questionnaire addressed to Poles. The first opening sections of the paper constitute an introduction into the world of Roms—their history, lifestyle and major elements of culture. We also include a brief description of Romani which, as an Indo-Aryan language, is very different from Polish.

The aim of the research we describe was to determine the prevalent attitudes of Poles towards the Romani community and discover how much Polish people know about Roms. It was also our intention to identify the existing stereotypes of Gypsies and their possible sources. We hope that our research findings will support endeavors to improve Polish-Romani relations and abolish the stereotypes that upset the peaceful cohabitation of the two communities. We also subscribe to the view that cultural diversity should be both protected and popularized as it contributes to the cultural heritage of Europe.

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