Etymologia a leksykografia (doba nowopolska)
Etymology Versus Lexicography (the New Polish Era)

Summary/Abstract: This article consists of two parts. The first one presents and evaluates etymological explanations in general Polish language dictionaries and in other dictionaries which present these explanations in whatever range they are given (in foreign words dictionaries or historical dictionaries etc.). These explanations are generally limited to the words coming from other languages. Their evaluation is not favorable for their authors since they are characterized by many faults. The most important one is the disagreement between theoretical declarations (in prefaces to dictionaries) and lexicographic practice, as well as lack of consequence in the realization of the assumed theoretical position. In the second part the article is some sort of review and evaluation of Polish language etymological dictionaries. Certainly, in spite of its lack of heterogeneity (concerned with its evolution from a popular dictionary to a strictly scientific and philological etymological historical dictionary) {The Polish Language Etymological Dictionary} by Franciszek Sławski has gained the best note, although it is (and certainly will be) not finished (from letter {A} to the letter {Ł}). {The Polish Language Etymological Dictionary} by Andrzej Bańkowski is also controversial and unfinished (from the letter {A} to {P}). {The Polish Language Etymological Dictionary} by Wiesław Boryś is one of two finished dictionaries which undoubtedly merit a high note. It is popular and represents the highest scientific level. Its only fault (easy to eliminate in the next edition) is a relatively small amount of entries.

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