History of Polish Studies at Czech Universities (Current State of Research)

The current state of research regarding the history of the Polish studies at Czech universities is mainly reflected in collective monographs, published to celebrate the 90th anniversary of their founding. The conducted analyses revealed the current state of the Czech Polish studies, traditionally developing in academic centres in Prague, Brno, Olomouc and Ostrava, and of specific determinants that the entire foreign Polish studies are subject to. Debate on further development of Czech interdisciplinary studies of Poland was held also within the framework of the 1st Congress of the Czech Polish Studies. The authors believe that further research should pay more attention to the genesis of Czech institutionalized Polish studies, especially on the period when their precursors were active. It is also necessary to put the research in the context of the interest in the language, literature, history and culture of the Slavs, which started to emerge in the period of the Czech National Revival

Blaski i cienie globalizacji, czyli problemy polonistyki w badaniach komparatystycznych

Polish Studies and the Concerns of Literary Globalisation. The article analyses the phenomenon of literary globalisation in view of its potential usefulness and impact on a broadly understood Polish Studies. Making references to various research approaches such as postcolonial studies, gender studies, cultural studies, eco-feminism and a search for ‘glocality;’ Grossman suggests a few potential solutions that can re-locate Polish-studies research on the international humanities’ orbit. In this approach, globalisation does not appear as a threat but rather, an empowering shift worth taking advantage of

Polish studies in translation : re-mapping an interdisciplinary field

Developing dynamically since the 1950s, contemporary Polish studies in translation have their roots in earlier anthropological and philosophical writings of Bronisław Malinowski and Roman Ingarden. The impact of Structuralism, arguably the most influential paradigm for translation theory in Poland, was decisive in defining its goals, methods and tools as well as in opening new vistas. The interdisciplinary character of the field of Polish translation studies has been visible from very early on; we claim that this factor makes it such a rich and inspiring body of work in the 1960s and later. Looking at the phases of its development and its relationships with what was going on in translation studies elsewhere, we seek to re-map the established points of view on the nature of translation theories and descriptions developed in Poland. We reassess the importance of the creative dialogues within the field against the background of theoretical discourses these studies both stemmed from and invoked. This lets us see how Polish writings on translation relate to the discourses of today’s Translation Studies, especially that in many cases they seem to precede and herald them. We look at the ways in which Polish scholars have entered the area of Translation Studies, the positions they have been theorizing from and the contribution they have been making to the interdisciplinary area of international research in translation. Our paper is centred around a set of texts selected for a reader presenting the highlights of Polish studies in translation we worked on in 2013

The Path of Exchange Rates in the Polish Economic Transformation

This study examines the path of adjustments of the exchange rate system in the transforming economy of Poland. It emphasizes the relative advantage of flexible exchange rates over the currency peg. It focuses on several aspects of the exchange rate policy that have not been adequately discussed. One of them is the rationale for returning to a currency peg to the leading currencies of the European Union (EU) and, in the future, to the Euro as a part of necessary preparations of the economy of Poland for accession to the Union. A return to a peg means the reversal from the path of the exchange rate system adjustments that has prevailed during the first five years, or in the first stage of the economic transformation. The study evaluates the rationale of applying a currency peg, thus “borrowing” monetary policy credibility from abroad, when the program of disinflation fails and the government loses a chance to stabilize the economy. High inflation that persists over a long time period is usually caused by automatic indexation, and adaptive expectations. Such chronic or inertial inflation continues long after the expiration of corrective inflation, or inflation stemming from price liberalization, cuts in subsidies and trade liberalization.exchange rate, Poland, economic transition

Studia polonistyczne poza Polską: kompleksowy przykład Brukseli (ULB)

It is often complicated to understand the concept of Polish studies abroad. The author presents Polish Studies in the capital of Europe. In this Article the case of the French-speaking Free University of Brussels (ULB) is discussed. The author introduces Polish Studies as a part of Slavic Studies, then develops the limitations that this issue has on the program of teaching. The writer profiles the heterogeneity of the students: showing their differences resulting from their origins, backgrounds of knowledge, and the presence of multiculturalism. Then, the study program is explained, as well as the means and solutions facilitating the simultaneous teaching of language and literature Among the solutions are propounded new technologies, stays abroad and encounters with native speakers. In conclusion, the author outlines foreign student’s learning process in Brussels and the teaching difficulties that academic teachers may encounter in European faculties. She provides remedies found to overcome these educational issues.Często trudno jest zrozumieć pojęcie studiów polonistycznych za granicą. Autorka prezentuje polonistykę w stolicy Europy. W artykule omawia przypadek francuskojęzycznego Wolnego Uniwersytetu w Brukseli (ULB). Prezentuje polonistykę jako część slawistyki. Wskazuje ograniczenia wpływające na program nauczania. Opisuje niejednorodność studentów: ich różne pochodzenie, wykształcenie i reprezentowaną wielokulturowość. Przedstawia również program studiów oraz środki i rozwiązania ułatwiające optymalizację jednoczesnego nauczania języka i literatury. Wśród wykorzystywanych rozwiązań są nowe technologie, pobyty za granicą i spotkania z osobami mówiącymi w ojczystym języku. Podsumowując, nakreśla proces uczenia się studentów zagranicznych w Brukseli i trudności w nauczaniu, jakie mogą napotkać akademiccy nauczyciele na europejskiej uczelni. Proponuje środki zaradcze pomagające w przezwyciężaniu problemów edukacyjnych

Studia polonistyczne w Japonii. Historia oraz perspektywy rozwoju

Polish Studies in Japan. The History and Future PerspectivesFor many Japanese people Poland is unknown and exotic country, which is associated with Frederic Chopin, Maria Sklodowska-Curie, Copernicus, Pope John Paul II, Lech Walesa and Andrzej Wajda. In 1991, at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies the first department of Polish studies in Japan was established. Unknown and exotic country – Poland – is an excellent field of research for Japanese scientists. The main purpose of this article is to introduce the Polish Studies in Japan, their history and future perspectives.The author presents the history of Polish Studies in Japan with the presentation of the research areas. He considers on the future direction after the structural changes, which took place in April 2012 when the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies philological faculty was changed into two faculties. New Tokyo University of Foreign Studies has two faculties: Faculty of Language and Culture Studies and the Faculty of International and Area Studies. As a result of the reform the Polish studies were also divided into two parts. After 20 years after opening of this unique Polish studies in Japan, we must redefine our goals and create new educational system that is compatible with the current educational realities. The author hopes that Polish studies in Japan will continue to develop and there will be more educated professionals (including the researchers) involved in Poland and Polish language

Organic food quality – axioms and ambiguities

During last decades the consumer trust in food quality has drastically decreased, mainly because of the growing ecological awareness and several food scandals. Consumers started to look for safer and better controlled foods, produced in more environmentally friendly system. Organically produced foods are widely believed to satisfy the above demands; up to now research studies have partly confirmed this opinion. Organic crops contain fewer nitrates and nitrites and fewer residues of pesticides than conventional ones. They contain as a rule more dry matter, vitamin C, phenolic compounds, valuable amino acids and total sugars; however the level of carotenoids is often higher in conventional plant products. Organic crops contain often more mineral compounds; they have usually better sensory and storage quality. Farm animals from organic herds and small experimental mammals fed organically show often better health and fertility parameters. However, there are also some negatives: plant and animal production in organic system show lower yield than in conventional production. Several important problems need to be investigated and settled in coming years: environmental contamination of the organic crops, bacterial and fungi contamination. The impact of the organic food consumption on human health and well being still remains unknown and needs explanation