...

Everyone thinks that in Poland is only one language used: Polish, but it is not true.
There is a second language: Kashubian.

In north of Poland there is an ethnic group Kashubians. They have never had their own country but were allways connected with Poland. They have their own language called Kashubian. Over communist 'occupation' polish govern don't recognize it as language, they thought that Kashubian is only a dialect of Polish. They were afraid of Kashubian nationalism and trying of make Kashubia country. They want to remove Kashubian language.

Today Kashubians situation is completly diffirent. In 1995 Polish govern official called it as a language and let it be in official use in some communes of Pomeranian Voivodship. Kashubians learn it at schools and it's an obligatory subject. From last year they can even write a Matura Exam in Kashubian. In this region can be also a billingual road and information signs.
Today in Kashubian speak about 53 000 people and for many of them this is their first native language insted of Polish.

There is a few newspapers written in Kashubian. For two years there is also a Radio KASZËBË in wich both languages are used. On the regional television (Telewizja Gdańsk) there is a one program in Kashubian.

This is the flag of Kashubians:


Simple comparison of Kashubian and Polish:

Polish alphabet:
a A, ą, b B, c C, ć Ć, d D, e E, ę, f F, g G, h H, i I, j J, k K, l L, ł Ł, m M, n N, ń, o O, ó Ó, p P, r R, s S, ś Ś, t T, u U, w W, y, z Z, ź Ź, ż Ż
Kashubian alphabet:
a A, ą Ą, ã Ã, b B, c C, d D, e E, é É, ë Ë, f F, g G, h H, i I, j J, k K, l L, ł Ł,
m M, nN, ń Ń, o O, ò Ò, ó Ó, ô Ô, p P, r R, s S, t T, u U, ù Ù, w W, y Y, z Z, ż Ż

Kashubian - Polish - English:
Dobri dzéń - Dzień dobry - Good morning
Mòje miono je Michôł - Mam na imię Michał - My name is Michał
Jô jem sztudéra - Jestem studentem - I'm a student
wëbaczë - przepraszam - I'm sorry
jo - tak - yes
apfelzyna - pomarańcza - orange
szoféra - kierowca - driver
Kùli lat jes të stôri/stôrô? - Ile masz lat? - How old are you?

Prayer 'Our Father':

Polish: Ojcze nasz, któryś jest w niebie święć się imię Twoje przyjdź królestwo Twoje bądź wola Twoja jako w niebie tak i na ziemi chleba naszego powszedniego daj nam dzisiaj i odpuść nam nasze winy, jako i my odpuszczamy naszym winowajcom i nie wódź nas na pokuszenie ale nas zbaw od złego. Amen.

Kaszubian: Òjcze nasz, jaczi jes w niebie, niech sã swiãcy Twòje miono, niech przińdze Twòje królestwò, niech mdze Twòja wòlô jakno w niebie tak téż na zemi. Chleba najégò pòwszednégò dôj nóm dzysô i òdpùscë nóm naje winë, jak i më òdpùszcziwómë naszim winowajcóm. A nie dopùscë na nas pòkùszeniô, ale nas zbawi òde złégò. Amen

As you see Polish and Kashubian are simillar but it is not a dialect.
Some Links:

- Kashubian language
- Kashubians
- Wikipedia in Kashubian