Re: Cymbaly /was Re:/

[Paul M. Gifford <PGIFFORD...>]

"Jerzy Matysiakiewicz" <jerzym (at) dom(dot)zabrze(dot)pl> wrote:

> Of course it refers to the instrument. In Polish
> "cymbaly" that is instrument with strings hammered by
> player with two sticks.

Barbara Szydlowicz-Ceglowa, in _Staropolskie instrumenty (?)_
(1976), gives a detailed etymology of cymbaly; the term used
for 'dulcimer' appears around the end of the 16th century. Earlier
it was used for 'bells' and also 'harpsichord.' She doesn't mention
anything about the association with the word that means 'simpleton.'
I did look the latter word up in a Polish etymological dictionary,
but don't remember the details. However, the word IS the origin
of some Polish, Lemko, and Ukrainian family names, such as Cymbaliuk, 
Cymbal, Cymbalok, etc. It also exists in Lithuanian and Slovak. This 
is probably an example of convergence. I do that the rare Jewish name
Zimbelman, however, derives from "tsimbler" (like "Fiedelman").

> "Cymbaly" are the instrument on which played Jankiel in
> Polish romantic poem "Pan Tadeusz" /just adapted to the
> screens by Andrzej Wajda/. Every children in Poland
> knows what is "Koncert Jankiela" /Yankele's concerto/
> with phrase "bylo w Polsce cymbalistow wielu, ale zaden
> nie smial zagrac przy Jankielu" /there were many
> cymbals player in Poland but no one comparable with
> Yankele - in crude translation/.
> Jankiel was described by Mickiewicz as were positive,
> highly patriotic person.

As you say, Jerzy, every child learns this poem. Do you think this
is the main reason that Poles think of the cymbaly as a Jewish 
instrument? I remember asking a girl who left Poland probably at the 
age of 14 what a _cymbaly_ was, and she knew---most likely because of 
the poem. Simon Schama, in a 1995, commented on Jankiel and 
Mickiewicz's use of the character in the way you describe. 

Paul Gifford


 > > Jerzy Matysiakiewicz M.D., Ph.D
> Poland-Polska
> 
> jerzym (at) dom(dot)zabrze(dot)pl
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Joshua Horowitz <horowitz (at) styria(dot)com>
> To: World music from a Jewish slant
> <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
> Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2000 7:20 PM
> Subject: Re: Odp:
> 
> 
> | > Yes, "Ty cymbale!" in Poland is derogative but not
> so
> | > offensive like "Ty idioto! = You idiot!". :))
> | >
> | > Jerzy
> |
> | So, Jerzy, does the term have anything to do with the
> instrument??? Josh
> |
> | ----------------------
> jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org ---------------------+
> |