The Deluge · Chapter
Polish Alphabet explained
This chapter provides a guide to the transliteration of Polish names and phonetic combinations used in the book, explaining how Polish letters and digraphs correspond to English sounds to aid readers unfamiliar with the language.
What happens
This chapter provides a guide to the transliteration of Polish names and phonetic combinations used in the book, explaining how Polish letters and digraphs correspond to English sounds to aid readers unfamiliar with the language.
Key passages
“Since the Polish alphabet has many peculiar phonetic combinations which are difficult to one who does not know the language, it was decided to transliterate the names of persons and places in which such combinations occur in this book.”
Because the Polish alphabet contains sounds unfamiliar to non-speakers, the author chose to transliterate names of people and places that feature these combinations.
Explains the rationale for transliteration.
“The following are the letters and combinations which are met with most frequently:— Polish Letters English Sounds c ts cz ch in “chief” sz sh in “ship” szcz shch rz r followed by the French j w v ż j in French”
The most common Polish letters and their English sound equivalents are listed, such as 'c' pronounced as 'ts', 'cz' as 'ch' in 'chief', and 'sz' as 'sh' in 'ship'.
Provides a reference table for Polish pronunciation.