Dual Identity
The Polish-Speaking Population in Germany
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Almost 400,000 Poles live in Germany. Together with the “later return settlers” from Poland, the figure is over one million people. They are well integrated and an integral element of the German population. In the Treaty on Neighbourly Relations the German government committed itself to maintaining the language and culture of Polish immigrants. However, the question how far support of Polish culture should go, is open to debate. The German government refuses to recognise the Poles in Germany as a minority. Polish organisations in Germany and Polish politicians criticise Berlin for not implementing the Treaty on Neighbourly Relations.
(Osteuropa 5-6/2011, pp. 57–64)