| dc.description.abstract | The paper, inspired by the apostolic exhortation Amorislaetitia (2016) by Pope Francis, is
devoted to the notion of tenderness in the Polish language, as compared with its equivalents
in other European languages, mentioned in the translations of Pope Francis’ exhortation:
Italian tenerezza, French tendresse, English tenderness, German Zärtlichkeit, Russian nežnost’.
Etymologies of these words, not only from the Romance languages, but also German and
Russian names, are associated with the notions like gentleness and fragility, which refer to
the attitude towards another person, expression of the feeling, as well as the gentle way of
treating another person. In that respect, Polish differs from the other languages. The image
of tenderness shaped by the Polish word czułość (etymologically connected with the verb
czuć – tofeel) directs attention to the aspect of sensitivity and empathy with another person,
focusing on the condition, situation in which the person finds himself/herself, as well as their
needs. It is an important aspect, which is underestimated during the first reflection on this
notion, as it is dominated by the meaning of expression of the feeling. | en_EN |
