Kilka uwag odnośnie do języka pomocniczego w świetle ustawy o mniejszościach narodowych i etnicznych oraz o języku regionalnym

Abstract

In accordance with the Act of 6 January 2005 on national and ethnic minorities and regional languages, the so-called auxiliary language was introduced into the Polish legal order. It involves a situation when it is used by a national or ethnic minority in a municipality where they constitute a minimum of 20% of the total population. Then there is the legal possibility of using the minority language on equal terms with the official language, that is the Polish language, before the municipal authorities. This paper presents and describes issues related to the rules of introducing an auxiliary language and situations when it can be used. The existing legislative shortcomings in the form of using phrases that are ill-defined or cause problems of interpretation are pointed out. The auxiliary language, although it can currently be used only in 33 municipalities, is an important element in the functioning of national and ethnic minorities in Poland, as well as is very useful in the relations between the municipality and the residents (belonging to the minority).