Knowledge of language in Poland is limited. This means that there is a language barrier if one is to establish a business in Poland. There are no regions where people speak a different language without knowledge in Polish.
However, there are two dialects that differ quite substantially from Polish. It is the people living in the Tatra Mountains and Kaszuby. It can be difficult to understand them if you do not know their dialect.
Since trade with Germany is large, relatively much German is used in the negotiations especially in western Poland. The younger generation speaks English. There are regional differences and it is easier to use English in large cities than on the countryside. The old generation is often not able to speak English.
In contacts with smaller companies where the owner is a little older, an interpreter is often needed. The larger companies always have employees who speak English and they are often educated abroad. The younger generation knows English but there are regional differences in language skills.
Polish, however, is important because the Poles are very aware of their language and culture. All agreements are made in English or Polish. During negotiations, there is often a need for an interpreter.
There are different dialects of the Polish language, but it is not appreciated to speak with an accent. Accents are not very common and they do not occur in the business world.
Cecilia Helland