Changes

'''Duke Branimir''' from the 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 (recorded as such and 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''' from the 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 (recorded as such and 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 had multiple small Slavic ethnic tribes. In some cases the newly arrived Slavs lived amongst the population that was there prior to their arrival. It is my opinion that for whatever reason it appears that their history has not been recorded accurately ''or'' not recorded at all. 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 and are slowly becoming extinct (now referred to as dialects) may reflect some of the many Slavic tribes who invaded Roman Dalmatia.  

The early medieval Western Balkans must have had multiple small Slavic ethnic tribes. In some cases the newly arrived Slavs lived amongst the population that was there prior to their arrival. It is my opinion that for whatever reason it appears that their history has not been recorded accurately ''or'' not recorded at all. 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. Taking this into account, over a period of time in the middle ages we had new political identities of Southern Slavs emerging. Among these were Bulgarians, Croatians, Narentines, Serbs and others.

 

The old language groups which have become diluted over time and are slowly becoming extinct (now referred to as dialects) may reflect some of the many Slavic tribes who invaded Roman Dalmatia.  

It is important to stress that these dialects in early medieval time could have been seen as languages. Current main dialect groups within modern Croatia are:

It is important to stress that these dialects in early medieval time could have been seen as languages. Current main dialect groups within modern Croatia are:

* Chakavian dialect

* Chakavian dialect

* Kajkavian dialect

* Kajkavian dialect

* Shtokavian dialect

* Shtokavian dialect

[[File:300px-Serbo croatian dialects historical distribution.png|thumb|right|450px| Distribution of central South Slavic dialects '''before 16th century''' migrations.In blue Chakavian dialect witch could have gone further south before they intermixed.]]

[[File:300px-Serbo croatian dialects historical distribution.png|thumb|right|450px| Distribution of central South Slavic dialects '''before 16th century''' migrations.In blue Chakavian dialect witch could have gone further south before they intermixed.]]