Polskie drogi w tekstach wspomnień

Abstract

The lexeme droga (road) in contemporary Polish has several meanings: a section of space leading from one place to another, somebody’s route, a distance, a trip, a way, a fate, life’s goal. It has many synonyms, rich phraseology and it forms numerous collocations, especially characteristic with verbs of movement. The aim of his paper is an attempt at verifying the hierarchy of meanings of the noun droga, which is given in lexicographical materials, in the 20th century texts of recollections recorded by Poles. The enumerated meanings are confirmed in texts of recollections; however, there is a clear juxtaposition of droga as physical space meant for transport, and droga as a journey, with the latter meaning dominating in recollective reports. Such meaning functions enhance metaphoric uses of the lexeme droga (and its synonyms), which is transparent already at the title level of the analysed texts of recollections: Podróż po słońce, Powrót do korzeni, Z Kombomi w świat, Spod chłopskiej strzechy na katedrą uniwersytetu, Droga po kamieniach, Drogą przez Sybir, Droga przez wieś, Droga przez czas, Droga do świętości. It serves the purpose of recording derivative meanings of the title lexeme, such as life paths, aim of life and a way to achieve the aim.