LL-L "Language survival" 2003.01.09 (02) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
 L O W L A N D S - L * 09.JAN.2003 (02) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
 http://www.lowlands-l.net * admin at lowlands-l.net * Encoding: Unicode UTF-8
 Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/rules.htm
 Posting Address: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org
 Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html
 Archive: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html
=======================================================================
 You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
 To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
 text from the same account to <listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org> or
 sign off at <http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html>.
=======================================================================
 A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
 L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
 S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
=======================================================================

From: Thomas Byro <thbyro at earthlink.net>
Subject: LL-L "History" 2003.01.04 (02) [E]

Ron

I suspect, although I cannot be certain, that a substantial number of
Plattdeutsch speakers remain in the areas of Posen and the former Polish
corridor.  What makes me think so is an article in the NY Times of several
years ago on Oberschlesien.  They interviewed one of the locals, a Hendrick
Krauss, who recounted the history of the area following the withdrawal of
German troops.  First he said there were waves of looters.  Then, when the
polish government established its authority, came the process of
"verification".  You had to prove that you were Polish.  Other wise you were
expelled.  Some 850,000 people passed the test in Oberschlesien and remain
there today, as a German speaking minority.  I don't know what criteria were
used in the "verification" process but I suspect that proof of citizenship
in pre-war Poland was one factor.  Probably also proof of service in the
Polish army.  If these criteria were sufficient, then they would have been
met by many of the Plattdeutsch speakers of Posen and the Polish Corridor.
Of course they would have had to maintain a low profile.

Tom Byro

==================================END===================================
* Please submit postings to <lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org>.
* Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.
* Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
* Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
  to be sent to <listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org> or at
  <http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html>.
 =======================================================================