How common is it in Polish for the letter “r” to be pronounced in the German or French way, compared to the trilled “r”?
I grew up with parents originally from Poland and they spoke with trilled r’s (they’re from Podlasie, if that matters). But when I sometimes listen to things in Polish to improve my language skills, I’ll occasionally come across someone who pronounces their r’s almost like an “h”, like in German or French. I haven’t been to Poland in a very long time so I’m wondering if this is common or if it’s specific to certain regions, socioeconomic classes, etc.
For example, this woman (at 8:00 when she says “państwach europejskich”)
5 comments
The woman at 8:00 in your vid has a serious speech impediment.
Pronouncing “r” the French or German way, as you describe it, is considered to be a speech impediment in Polish language and a child pronouncing “r” this way would typically be sent to see a speech therapist at a very young age (my sister went at the age of 5 or so).
Those who did not go to a speech therapist will typically carry this speech impediment throughout their lives.
It’s not super uncommon, but widely present in older generations – just listen to Tusk or Szczuka. Kinda common, but absolutely incorrect.
Polish “r” is very similar to the Spanish “r”. We roll out “r”s all the time.
>!KURRRRWA!<
>!RRRROWER!<
Speech impediment or regional trait – a phonological indicator of a Kashubian substrate.
Ah, the “Donald Tusk R”
Not pronouncing trilled r in Polish means some problem. I know a person who has a little defect in throat or something so she can’t do our r but it helps her with speaking French.