National language above all. The discussion over the spelling of names and surnames

The problem concerning spelling of Polish names, which stirs up strong feelings in Lithuania, is treated not only as a problem of Lithuania, but in the context of Polish-Lithuanian relations. It seems that protection of national language is most important for Lithuanian politicians. Quoting Rima Baškienė from Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union: “Is not national language more important than international relations and problems of hundreds or thousands of people?”

The issue is raised once again by Education, Science and Culture Committee and in the new draft constitutional law concerning national language. The problem, not solved for years, affects Polish-Lithuanian relations, which Lithuanian politician know well. Gediminas Kirkilas, a social democrat noticed during Education, Science and Culture Committee meeting that the problem “caused many misunderstandings in our relations with our neighbors. We need to admit it openly or we will make the situation worse, which will affect negatively Polish-Lithuanian relations”.

Rima Baškienė from Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union has different opinion: “I understand the need of Polish-Lithuanian friendship and nobody opposes. What kind of negative effect are we talking about? How are our names spelled when we are going to the USA? Is not national language more important than international relations and problems of hundreds or thousands of people?”

The solutions offered are not satisfying for Poles in Lithuania. Jarosław Narkiewicz, Sejmas vicepresident and a representative of Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania when talking to Wilnoteka admitted that the problem concerns two groups of people: Lithuania citizens and citizens of other countries with Polish nationality. As far as the second group goes they are to obtain rights to write their names with the use of the signs of Latin alphabet or those not belonging to Lithuanian alphabet.

When it comes to citizens of Lithuania the use of those signs would be allowed only when the person will show a document certifying the original spelling of a name. “This solution is not satisfactory. The demand is an unnecessary impediment, especially because taking into account the complicated history of Lithuania, the Soviet times, some documents may be missing. Better solution is to change the spelling with regard to Polish spelling rules and the original wording of a name. We do not know how many people will use this right but it is important that they had it. It is a matter of respect for human rights,” says Narkiewicz.
It is clear then – that human rights are not a priority in this case. The works on the draft law has started many years ago. “I do not think that we can pretend that the problem do not exist and that we can discuss it for the next ten years,” said Kirkilas. However, it seems that Lithuanian politicians will talk about it for long time still. The draft law concerning national language which is to reach Sejmas today strengthens Lithuanian language position forbidding the use of other than Lithuanian diacritic signs in official documents and on information boards. The use of national languages by national minorities is to be regulated by separate documents. Two conflicting draft laws reached Sejmas already: the first one allowing for original spelling of a name on the foreside of a passport, the second one – only inside a passport.

On the basis of: BNS, inf. wł.