On January 7, we met the most crucial word of 2024. The linguist chapter chose coalitionand netizens expression Artificial intelligence. For the first time, the student word of the year was chosen.
The plebiscite Word of the Year is organized by the Institute of Polish Language of the University of Warsaw and the Foundation of Polish Language. The competition for the most crucial word of the last 12 months consists of an online vote and a selection of linguists.
On 7 January, representatives of the plebiscite chapter presented and discussed the results of this year's edition of the plebiscite. The event can be viewed on YouTube channel UW >>
The body of linguists and journalists has chosen the word 2024 by a large majority coalition. She's in second place. committee (criminal), 3rd – Common (generation Z).
More than 1,600 votes were cast in the online plebiscite this year. The podium featured: cafeteria, artificial intelligence and grandmother. The first of them was awarded the title of student word of the year due to references to academic life.
The title of the nationwide word of the year selected in the online vote went to the expression Artificial intelligence.
Competition rules
The vote in the online competition ended on 31 December. Participants in the plebiscite could give their vote in 2 ways – by choosing a word or expression from the list made available by the organizers or by submitting their own proposal.
Regardless of the vote on the online choice of the Word of the Year, the jury besides makes the jury of the competition. The chapter included: Andrzej Blikle (IPIPAN), Jerzy Bralczyk (UW), Bartek Chaciński (Politics), Katarzyna Kłosińska (UW), Ewa Kołodziejek (USz), Teresa Kruszona (Gazeta Wyborcza), Agnieszka Kunikowska (Polish Radio), Jan Miodek (UWr), Jerzy Podracki (UW), Renata Przybylska (UJ), Michał Rusinek (UJ), Barbara Sobczak (UAM), Małgorzata Tulowiecka (Polish Radio).
Linguistics comments on selected words
Coalition
Word ‘coalition’ functions in Polish in 2 meanings. First, as
‘agreement concluded by political parties or states with a view to conducting a common
Policy’, secondly, as ‘determination of parties connected by specified an agreement’.
The coalition's goal is to accomplish a common goal by the entities making up the alliance.
The coalition can be: government, parliamentary, left, majority, electoral,
Local government.
The coalition can be established, built, created, co-created. You can enter the coalition or from it
Out. You can strengthen the coalition, but you can besides weaken it, break it, leave it or break it.
The coalition may be for something, for example, women's rights, combating unemployment, or
against something: home violence, war or Russia's expansion.
In the Polish public discourse, the word “coalition” appears most frequently in two
mergers: ‘government coalition’ erstwhile it concerns a political organization agreement to
the creation of a government, and the "electoral coalition" erstwhile it concerns an alliance of parties formed for the intent of
to take part in the elections together.
“Coalition” is besides a part of the name “Citizen Coalition” in the Polish region – that is, the coalition
election of respective parties who have created common lists, first in local elections
in 2018, then in the 2019 and 2023 parliamentary elections. In 2023
Civil Coalition was created by the Civic Platform, Modern, Initiative Poland and
Green.
In 2024, the word “coalition” primarily referred to the government coalition formed
by parties of the Civic Coalition, Poland 2050, Polish People's organization and fresh Left.
It is worth noting the persuasion of 2 names that function in discourse
media to describe this coalition. These are: ‘coalition 15 October’ and ‘coalition 13’
December’.
The name ‘coalition 15 October’ is utilized by the government and its media and
refers to the date of parliamentary elections which changed the political power agreement in Poland.
For the first time Donald Tusk utilized it in his exposé. This name in addition to the information function
has a persuasional importance – on 15 October for the ruling camp became a symbolic date,
comparable to June 4, 1989, in which they are encoded, as Prime Minister Tusk said,
"Rebellion for Freedom and Democracy" and "Ending the civilian and National Process
revivals’.
In turn, the word “coalition on 13 December” is utilized primarily by law politicians and
Justice and alleged conservative media. It indicates the date of establishment of the government by
President Andrzej Duda (13 December 2023), but he is also, or possibly above all, a hint
until the date of the martial law in Poland (13 December 1981) – according to historians
one of the most dramatic events in post-war past of Poland. Her.
Persuasion is so about bringing up negative associations and, consequently,
building negative emotions towards specified a defined coalition. This name is most common
occurs in negative contexts of government actions, e.g. "coalition 13
December pushes for ideological changes", "coalition of 13 December destroys the state
rights” or “a coalition on 13 December destroys Poland”.
Prof. UAM Dr Barbara Sobczak
Tooths
Baby boomers (or just boomers), generation X, generation Y (millennials), and finally
postmillielsi or alleged "Zetki". Sociologists like these divisions, they're easier due to them.
describe different generations. There's something about it, due to the fact that actually all generation has any characteristics.
common and specified a division allows to find differences in the approach to life,
relations with work, priorities.
Zetki, or generation Z (in English Gen Z), are people born after 1995. They've been there too.
called generation C from English words connect, commune, change. They're the first.
A generation raised in the Internet. 1 of the most crucial qualities she describes
is an approach to technology – free, natural, unforced, which is not amazing if you take
considering the fact that they do not know the planet without smartphones, tablets, internet
communicators, computers. These tools are utilized in the work they frequently take
Still in school. Hundreds value freedom and flexibility. They're geared to development,
Asertive. Convinced of their worth. They can set limits. By employers
Gen Z representatives are seen as specific, but besides replanting individuals, reluctantly
A controlling boss. They are besides a challenge erstwhile it comes to necessity
combining their competences with those of another generations.
The zets are now “top”, but their successors are already growing. Another generation called Generation
Alpha. We won't know what it'll be like for a while.
Agnieszka Kunikowska, Polish Radio
Grandma
Grandma's custody? Not necessarily a grandmother, although the name of this benefit
refers to grandma and tradition in which they are grandmothers, usually in multigenerational
families, they replaced the institution of nursery or kindergarten. Officially government program that
entered into force in October 2024 is called ‘Active Parent’ and supports parents,
who have children of nursery age and want to go back to work and get help
A babysitter, like Grandma. Hence unofficial, common and short name
“Grandmother”. “Grandmother”, like the adjective “grandmother” is the 1 associated with
Grandma, Grandma's, she's connected to Grandma. Grandma's got affirmative connotations, she knows
something well known. And it's shorter and more into
an ear than ‘Active parent’. The name seems to have taken and remembered, o
as evidenced by the fact that she was second in the net vote.
Agnieszka Kunikowska, Polish Radio
