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. 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 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 have new political identities of Southern Slavs emerging. Among these were Bulgarians, Croatians, Narentines, Serbs and others.  

The region south of the river Cetina has been sometimes historically referred to as Red Croatia, which would indicate Croatian influence was felt beyond the river Cetina. Historians F.Rački and V. Klaić think  there might have been Croatians as far south as Kosovo.{{quote|

The region south of the river Cetina has been sometimes historically referred to as Red Croatia, which would indicate Croatian influence was felt beyond the river Cetina. Historians F.Rački and V. Klaić think  there might have been Croatians as far south as Kosovo.{{quote|

''F. Rački and V. Klaić think these Croats may have operated not only along the coast but inland as far east as what is now Kosovo, intermixed with Serb or other Slavic tribes...'' <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=wEF5oN5erE0C&pg=PA62&dq=V.+Klaić+Red+Croatia+John+Fine&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8RbkUN3YJ4iZkAW4lIGIAw&sqi=2&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=V.%20Klaić%20Red%20Croatia%20John%20Fine&f=false  When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:]  by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p62-p63)

''F. Rački and V. Klaić think these Croats may have operated not only along the coast but inland as far east as what is now Kosovo, intermixed with Serb or other Slavic tribes...'' <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=wEF5oN5erE0C&pg=PA62&dq=V.+Klaić+Red+Croatia+John+Fine&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8RbkUN3YJ4iZkAW4lIGIAw&sqi=2&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=V.%20Klaić%20Red%20Croatia%20John%20Fine&f=false  When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:]  by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p62-p63)

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

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

The ''politics'' of language standardisation is the issue at heart when it comes to the telling of the story of Southern Slavic languages.  In the 19th century, Slavic language standardisation entered into the mix.<ref>Other languages commonly used in the region included, Romance Dalmatian, Old Venetian, Hungarian (Magyars) and written Latin.</ref>  This event had a huge influence on the region and its impact has to be fully examined. One question which can be asked.  

 

 

[[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.]]The ''politics'' of language standardisation is the issue at heart when it comes to the telling of the story of the modern Southern Slavic languages.  In the 19th century, Slavic language standardisation entered firmly into the mix.<ref>Other languages commonly used in the region included, Romance Dalmatian, Old Venetian, Hungarian (Magyars) and written Latin.</ref>  This event had a huge influence on the region and its impact has to be fully examined. One question which can be asked.  

''Did the 19th century scholars and linguists do their research scientifically or were they seriously influenced by the politics of the 19th Century Pan Slavic movement?''  

''Did the 19th century scholars and linguists do their research scientifically or were they seriously influenced by the politics of the 19th Century Pan Slavic movement?''