Resumen de Ethnic revival of the German minority in Poland

Tomasz Wicherkiewicz

• This paper presents the background and results of the recent ethnic revival experienced by the German minority group(s) in Poland, officially recognized äs late äs in 1989. The author presents an outline of the postwar history of the so-called autochthonous groups and ethnic Germans. The problematic question of number and criteria for German identity is discussed. The author focuses on the sociolinguistic aspect of the attempt to construct a model ofbi- or trilingualism and on diglossia among the Silesian Germans. The results ofthefirstpreliminary research projects arepresented.

  The article also provides basic data on the presence of German in the main language domains: education, mass media, cultural initiatives, religious life, and organizations, and also describes the beginnings of language policy, especially in Silesia.