Between Standard Polish and Masurian: The Language of Masurian Elders Based on Field Research Data

Abstract

This study examines the linguistic characteristics of the oldest generation of Masurian speakers based on field research conducted between 2019 and 2023 in Masurian counties. Using a case study approach, the research focuses on the mixed linguistic code employed by elderly interlocutors whose speech most closely approximates the historical Masurian ethnolect. The study explores the sociolinguistic dynamics shaping the mixed code, including the interplay between Masurian, Standard Polish (SP), and German influences. The analysis demonstrates that while the phonetic and syntactic structures of the interlocutors’ speech exhibit significant Masurian traits, their lexicon is predominantly influenced by Standard Polish, with only a marginal presence of Germanisms. This contrasts with historical data from the mid20th century, which indicated a higher prevalence of German lexical borrowings. The research highlights the role of sociopolitical changes, particularly postwar Polonisation efforts, in shaping the linguistic landscape of the region. School education, social integration pressures, and negative perceptions of German and Masurian linguistic elements contributed to the decline of the Masurian dialect and the emergence of individualised mixed codes. The study also considers the typology of the mixed codes spoken by contemporary Masurians. Rather than a simple linear spectrum between Standard Polish and the Masurian ethnolect, the research suggests a triangular model incorporating direct postwar German influence as an independent variable. The analysis includes a case study of four elderly interlocutors from different parts of Masuria, detailing phonetic, morphological, and lexical features of their speech.