Changes

'''Duke Branimir''' 880s, spoke old Slavic Chakavian and was from the Dalmatian hinterland. Mr Branimir is, I believe the first Croatian ''or'' the first Southern Slav to describe himself as a Croatian (based on the current records that we have). In my opinion his tribe, who were the old Slavic Chakavian speakers, are the first Croatians (Hrvati or more accurately ''Hrovati'').  

'''Duke Branimir''' 880s, spoke old Slavic Chakavian and was from the Dalmatian hinterland. Mr Branimir is, I believe the first Croatian ''or'' the first Southern Slav to describe himself as a Croatian (based on the current records that we have). In my opinion his tribe, who were the old Slavic Chakavian speakers, are the first Croatians (Hrvati or more accurately ''Hrovati'').  

The early medieval Western Balkans must have consisted of multiple Slavic ethnic tribes. It appears that their history has not been recorded. From a Greco-Roman perspective they were all identified as Slavs. The Slavs found themselves living in a medieval multi-ethnic region and it was the most powerful chieftains (the main political players) who left a '''mark''' on history. The old language groups which have become diluted over time (are now referred to as dialects and are slowly becoming extinct) may still reflect the many Slavic tribes who invaded Roman Dalmatia.  

The early medieval Western Balkans must have consisted of multiple Slavic ethnic tribes. It appears that their history has not been recorded. From a Greco-Roman perspective they were all identified as Slavs. The Slavs found themselves living in a medieval multi-ethnic region and it was the most powerful chieftains (the main political players) who left a '''mark''' on history. The old language groups which have become diluted over time (are now referred to as dialects) and are slowly becoming extinct may reflect the many Slavic tribes who invaded Roman Dalmatia.  

Current dialect groups within modern Croatia include:

Current dialect groups within modern Croatia include:

it is important to stress that these dialects are seen from an old medieval perspective as language changes with time.

it is important to stress that these dialects are seen from an old medieval perspective as language changes with time.

After a period of time in the middle ages we had new identities of Southern Slavs emerging. Among these were; Croatians, Bulgarians, Serbs, Narantani and others.

After a period of time in the middle ages we had new identities of Southern Slavs emerging. Among these were; Croatians, Narantani, Bulgarians, Serbs and others.

It is true that some of the origins of some of these words denoting southern slavic groups (i.e. Horvat, Sorb) can be traced further back in history. Some have wrongly associated the etymology of these words to proclaim ethnicities or national identities back deep into the past. To my understanding there is no proof that these ethnic identities existed.  

It is true that some of the origins of some of these words denoting southern slavic groups (i.e. Horvat, Sorb) can be traced further back in history. Some have wrongly associated the etymology of these words to proclaim ethnicities or national identities back deep into the past. To my understanding there is no proof that these ethnic identities existed.  

When the Serbian forces were annihilated in the ''Battle of Kosovo'' by the [[Directory:Turkey|Ottoman Empire]] in '''1389''' very large groups of peoples started to migrate westward. The Ottomans caused huge instability in the area and actually managed to twice besiege Vienna. The Western Balkans from that period forward began to acquire new groups of people in its region (i.e., Croatians, Serbs, Albanians, Greeks, Turks & others), thus creating new ethnic mixes. I believe that due to these events the old Slavic tribal borders changed forever during the 15th and 16th centuries.  

When the Serbian forces were annihilated in the ''Battle of Kosovo'' by the [[Directory:Turkey|Ottoman Empire]] in '''1389''' very large groups of peoples started to migrate westward. The Ottomans caused huge instability in the area and actually managed to twice besiege Vienna. The Western Balkans from that period forward began to acquire new groups of people in its region (i.e., Croatians, Serbs, Albanians, Greeks, Turks & others), thus creating new ethnic mixes. I believe that due to these events the old Slavic tribal borders changed forever during the 15th and 16th centuries.  

=====Politics of Language Standardisation, Nationalistic and Communist Ideologies =====

=====Politics of Language Standardisation, Nationalistic and Communist Ideologies =====

In the 19th century language standardisation entered into the mix.<ref>Other languages commonly used in the region included, Romance Dalmatian, Old Venetian, [[Hungary|Hungarians (Magyars)]] and written [[Latin]].</ref> The ''politics'' of language standardisation is the issue at heart here. The question should be asked. Did the 19th century scholars do their research scientifically or were they seriously influenced by the politics of the future 19 century super Southern Slavic State.  

In the 19th century language standardisation entered into the mix.<ref>Other languages commonly used in the region included, Romance Dalmatian, Old Venetian, [[Hungary|Hungarians (Magyars)]] and written [[Latin]].</ref> The ''politics'' of language standardisation is the issue at heart here. The question should be asked. Did the 19th century scholars and linguist do their research scientifically or were they seriously influenced by the politics of the future 19 century super Southern Slavic State.  

There appears to be a common misconception that if you are taught and you learn to speak the standardised Serbo-Croatian language that you have historical connections to an ethnic group. This is not necessarily factual as many other ethnic groups, with various ethnic backgrounds, were caught up in this system of standardisation through being forced to speak a ''common language'' (Serbo-Croatian). This does not necessarily directly related to the actual ancestry and ethnic history of the speaker.  

There appears to be a common misconception that if you are taught and you learn to speak the standardised Serbo-Croatian language that you have historical connections to an ethnic group. This is not necessarily factual as many other ethnic groups, with various ethnic backgrounds, were caught up in this system of standardisation through being forced to speak a ''common language'' (Serbo-Croatian). This does not necessarily directly related to the actual ancestry and ethnic history of the speaker.