WYMYSORYS LANGUAGE, PEOPLE, & CULTURE

Описание: Welcome to my channel! This is Andy from I love languages. Let's learn different languages/dialects together.

Credits:
Special Thanks to
Research: Śütow-Piöel fum Ćiöe (Paweł Szutow),
Voices: Tiöma fum Dökter (Tymoteusz Król),
and Płaćnik-Helka (Helena Biba)
Music: Archive of Stowarzyszenie Na Rzecz Zachowania Dziedzictwa Kulturowego Miasta Wilamowice "Wilamowianie" (Association for the Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of the City of Wilamowice "Vilamovians)
Pictures: Association for the Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of the City of Wilamowice "Vilamovians and photographer Łukasz Zakrzewski.

Güter mytag! Yhy bej Andy. Wi hoter’üh?
Good day! My name is Andy. How are you?
Let's talk about The Wymysorys language.

The Wymysorys language (Wymysiöeryś) is a critically endangered West Germanic language primarily spoken in the town of Wilamowice in southern Poland, situated between Silesia and Lesser Poland. Once widely used by the local community, the number of native speakers—now primarily elderly individuals—has dwindled to just a dozen, due to a break in intergenerational transmission caused by repressions after World War II. Wymysorys is closely related to German (especially Silesian German) and Yiddish, yet it stands out with its unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, alongside distinct Polish influences developed over centuries of close proximity. Many scholars suggest that influences from Low German, Dutch, or Frisian may also be traceable. Since the early 21st century, local residents and scholars have been involved in language revitalization efforts. Wymysorys is now taught both domestically and at the University of Warsaw, and numerous books and articles about and in the language have been published. The language has its own ISO 639-3 code: wym. Thanks to revitalization efforts, a growing group of new speakers is emerging.

The Wymysorys people (Wymysiöejyn) are a relatively small community with roots tracing back to medieval Germanic-speaking settlers who founded the town of Wilamowice (Wymysoü) in 1250. Despite historical hardships, including suppressing their language and customs after World War II, they have maintained a strong cultural identity. Traditionally, the Wymysorys people were farmers, craftsmen (especially weavers), and traders, significantly contributing to the local economy and enjoying greater prosperity than the inhabitants of surrounding villages. Religion plays an important role in the community, with most of its members being Roman Catholic. From the mid-16th century until the first half of the 17th century, however, most Wilamowice inhabitants were Calvinists, with some continuing in this denomination until the 18th century.

Wymysorys culture is a unique fusion of Germanic heritage, Polish and Silesian influences, and local innovations. Traditional Wymysorys clothing, renowned for its richness and vibrant colors, is worn during holidays, festivals, and religious celebrations. Cultural initiatives and events in Wilamowice aim to revitalize and celebrate Wymysorys heritage, reinforcing the community's enduring connection to its language, customs, and history. Many Wymysorys traditions have survived to this day, largely thanks to the efforts of local activists and the “Wilamowice” Regional Song and Dance Ensemble. An important milestone for Wymysorys culture was the opening of the Wymysorys Culture Museum (Müzeum fu Wymysiöejer Kultür) this year.


This video is created for educational, language awareness, and language preservation purposes. It aims to provide valuable insights and knowledge to viewers, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of different languages and their unique characteristics. By raising awareness about linguistic diversity, the video seeks to foster a greater respect and recognition for various languages, particularly those that are endangered or underrepresented. Additionally, it contributes to the preservation of languages by documenting and sharing linguistic knowledge, thus ensuring that these languages and their cultural heritage are not lost to future generations.

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