EN
The article is a description of PhD thesis The Role of Language Politeness and its Role in Higher Language Competence: The Case of Polish. This study aims to identify the most important aspects of Polish language politeness and sociolinguistic codes when Polish is being acquired as a foreign language. This politeness was investigated in the broadest sense of its meaning. In other words, I highlights an important area of second language learning that is not often addressed in textbooks and course syllabii in spite of the importance of learners acquiring culturally inclusive, sociolinguistically appropriate communication skills in the target language. Based on different linguistic theories as well as on anthropological, psychological and sociological theories, this study shows that grammar and lexis (even a broad vocabulary) are not sufficient to attain an excellent command of a foreign language, in this case of Polish. Fluency and freedom of utterance depend on immersion in the target culture.