Language purity laws (Poland)

Date: 2000

Region: Europe

Subject: Language Political/Economic/Social Opinion

Medium: Commercial Advertising


Artist: Polish merchants, business community

Confronting Bodies: Polish Lanuage Council

Date of Action: August 2000

Location: Poland

Description of Artwork: Use of the words, "supermarket," Music club," and "plaza."

The Incident: These words have been outlawed by the Polish Language Council through a language purity law enforced in August 2000. Simultaneously, another language purity law forces broadcasters to ensure that one-third of the music played on radio stations is Polish.

Results of Incident: Violators of these edicts could face heavy fines.

Source: Index on Censorship, 6/2000