1. Multilingualism in a Central European city.
Dr Krzysztof Kowalski Institute of European Studies Jagiellonian University
Multilingualism in a Central European city.
The case of Kraków in a historical
and patrimonial context

5. The context: historical and cultural situation of Kraków
- from 1038 to capital of Poland
foundation of the city of Kraków based on the Magdeburg Law
foundation of the city of Casimir based on the Magdeburg Law (future Jewish quarter)
– foundation of the Jagiellonian University by the king Casimir the Great
- main inhabitants during the Middle ages: Poles, Germans, Jews
– capital is moved to Warsaw
- 1772, 1793, 1795 – three partitions of Poland
- Kraków became the „historical” capital of Poland / treasure of Polish culture and identity
– regained independence
war and 4 linguistic communities / 4 languages spoken: Polish, Yiddish, German, Ukrainian
– communist time of cultural and linguist „imagined” monolith
– adherence to the EU
– political context / right wing party runs the country
– 2017 – migration crisis in Europe
Kraków is an academic/scientific, cultural, business, touristic centre (see UNESCO)

6. Discourse
Number of respondents 1 39 2 24
Total 63

7. The labels of the two discourses: Discourse 1 – Cosmopolitan and pragmatic Discourse 2 – Nationalist and pragmatic

8. Discourse 1 – Cosmopolitan and pragmatic
No.
Statement
Q sort 56
Young people need to learn other languages, not just English, if they want to be competitive in the job market. 5 7
Children should start learning foreign languages from the earliest possible age, from kindergarten onwards. 4 12
English is now a necessity: it is no longer just an advantage as a second language, but it is a must. 3
A wide choice of languages, both European and non-European, should be offered in schools in Krakow. 22
It is good practice for a city to provide multilingual information centres for residents and visitors. 28
Knowing foreign languages opens us up to new ways of thinking. 44
The multilingual environment here turns our city into an attractive destination for investment. 54
When we lose our Polish, we lose part of our identity, our culture and origins. 1 55
When you maintain your mother tongue, it helps with your self-esteem. 37
People who don't speak Polish should lose their entitlement to state benefits. -3 38
Public services, documents and so forth, should only be provided in Polish. 41
Teachers should tell the children of migrants to stop speaking their own language at home, as it has a negative impact on children's ability to learn Polish. 14
English spells the doom of other languages. -4 29
Learning two languages simultaneously has a negative impact on the child.

9. Discourse 1 – Cosmopolitan and pragmatic
- languages and the labor market,
- personal success, opportunities, advantages and requirements
- English is a must for achievement on the global labor market
- Europe is not important here
- „communication with members of different cultures / public space should be multilingual”,
- English (and other languages) and its (their) teaching/learning can NOT be considered as threat
- question of „sacred tradition” / national values are LESS important
- the key value is „effectiveness” and “achievement”
- personal achievement is possible if one has certain (linguistic) competences
- translation of all official documents to make the position of Cracow better on the global market is a good idea
- the role of State and tradition is not important
- however on the other hand you don’t need to speak Polish to have Polish state protection and benefits
- multilinguisme is an advantage

10. Discourse 2 – Nationalist and pragmatic
No.
Statement
Q sort 54
When we lose our Polish, we lose part of our identity, our culture and origins. 5 56
Young people need to learn other languages, not just English, if they want to be competitive in the job market. 4 28
Knowing foreign languages opens us up to new ways of thinking. 55
When you maintain your mother tongue, it helps with your self-esteem. 3 42
The Polish language is a kind of 'sacred tradition' and should be protected at all costs. 33
Non-English-speaking workers are seen as intruders in Krakow. -3 63
Radio programs in minority languages (e.g. German) disintegrate the Polish nation. 64
Parents should not transmit regional languages to their children because these languages are not useful. -4 41
Teachers should tell the children of migrants to stop speaking their own language at home, as it has a negative impact on children's ability to learn Polish.

11. Discourse 2 – Nationalist and pragmatic
- Polish language as an element of identity, tradition, roots and culture,
- language is a resource of Polish identity,
- language is considered as a „sacred tradition”, national, Polish identity,
- „we” have to protect our language/identity, tradition, origins,
- this discourse seems to be more emotional and makes appear regional and national differences which are not important in discourse 1
- however (!) this discourse is still very pragmatic as the global market embraces regional and national differences which do not creat its limits but enrich it!

12. GENERAL OPPOSITION BETWEEN THE TWO DISCOURSES
openness and personal achievement vs protection (of sacred tradition)
individual vs community

13. Thank you for your attention !