'I'm meeting my frendy for a drinkowac'

'I'm meeting my frendy for a drinkowac': The bizarre 'Ponglish' slang spoken by Poles in Britain

By Caroline Grant

Last updated at 1:41 PM on 03rd July 2008

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Polish corner shops have been springing up on high streets across the country

Polish immigrants in Britain have created their own special language that combines their native tongue and English - the result is Ponglish.

The hybrid language has sprung up in Polish communities across the country and is even making its way back to Poland.

Poles using the unusual slang talk of 'taxsy' instead of 'taxes' and in Ponglish 'driving' becomes 'drajwnic', which is pronounced driveneech.

Of course, Polish motorists will be driving in the 'kara' on the 'strity'.

The language has blossomed as the Polish community in Britain has grown to around 400,000 and their influence can be seen in all walks of life.

Polish corner shops have been springing up on high streets across the country and some local newspapers even print special Polish language editions.

Magda Pustola, from the Polish Cultural Institute in London, said: 'We mix two languages together all the time. We find that more and more English is creeping into our Polish even in meetings at the institution.'

The slang has filtered into all areas of everyday life.

Poles now go 'szoping' at the supermarket before the meet their 'frendy' for a quiet 'drinkowac'.

'There are some small Polish towns and cities where huge groups left to go to Britain. Now when they meet in Poland, it's no surprise if they use slang with English words,' said Aneta Prasal-Wisniewska, a specialist on Polish and British cultural links at the Adam Mickiewicz Institute in Warsaw.

'At the institute we are always trying to smuggle Polish words into English,' added Magda Pustola.

'There was a recent campaign to promote Polish vodka. We spell vodka with a "w", so we campaigned to change all words to "v".'