Changes

Two languages, firstly the Romance Latin language called ''Dalmatian'' and then the old Croatian Slavic Chakavian language became the norm on the island. With time these languages started to overlap. The written language was Latin. The fact that Slavs from the then neighbouring [[Directory:Croatia|Kingdom of Croatia]] also spoke old Croatian '''Chakavian''' indicates that this group of Slavs once came from the same ''or'' closely related tribal group.

Two languages, firstly the Romance Latin language called ''Dalmatian'' and then the old Croatian Slavic Chakavian language became the norm on the island. With time these languages started to overlap. The written language was Latin. The fact that Slavs from the then neighbouring [[Directory:Croatia|Kingdom of Croatia]] also spoke old Croatian '''Chakavian''' indicates that this group of Slavs once came from the same ''or'' closely related tribal group.

===Latins Romanized the Slavs===

===Latins Romanized the Coastal Slavs===

The new population of Narentines Slavs invaded and then probably settled in the centre of the island. The centre of the island had its strategic qualities which allowed protection on all sides from attack by sea. It also had fertile land which allowed cultivation.  After the invasion of Slavic tribes, the region stabilised to a certain extent. The Byzantines and the Republic of Venice and others, started to exert a political, economic and culture influence over the region.

The new population of Narentines Slavs invaded and then probably settled in the centre of the island. The centre of the island had its strategic qualities which allowed protection on all sides from attack by sea. It also had fertile land which allowed cultivation.  After the invasion of Slavic tribes, the region stabilised to a certain extent. The Byzantines and the Republic of Venice and others, started to exert a political, economic and culture influence over the region.

[[File:740px-Roman provinces of Illyricum, Macedonia, Dacia, Moesia, Pannonia and Thracia.jpg|thumb|right|375px|The Roman province of Dalmatia (pink colour) in the Western Roman Empire. 476 AD]] When the Narentines, the Slavic pirates lost control of the island, Dalmatian Latins <ref>'''Note''': Recent DNA studies have stated that more than three quarters of today's Croatian men are the descendants of Europeans who inhabited Europe 13 000-20 000 years ago.</ref> and the Republic of Venice brought ''Mediterranean Latin cultural''  to the Slavs who remained on the island. Christianity was one aspect of this. In essence Slavs on the island were Romanized (adopted Latin culture).

[[File:740px-Roman provinces of Illyricum, Macedonia, Dacia, Moesia, Pannonia and Thracia.jpg|thumb|right|375px|The Roman province of Dalmatia (pink colour) in the Western Roman Empire. 476 AD]] When the Narentines, the Slavic pirates lost control of the island, Dalmatian Latins <ref>'''Note''': Recent DNA studies have stated that more than three quarters of today's Croatian men are the descendants of Europeans who inhabited Europe 13 000-20 000 years ago.</ref> and the Republic of Venice brought ''Mediterranean Latin cultural''  to the Slavs who remained on the island. Christianity was one aspect of this. In essence Slavs on the island were Romanized (adopted Latin culture).

Later the Slavic peoples started to identify themselves and separated into different groups (or separated politically by others). It seems that in Southern Dalmatia the Slavic identity lasted much longer. As centuries went by Coastal Dalmatian Slavs started to identify themselves as ''Dalmatians'' and as Croatians.  

Later the Slavic peoples started to identify themselves and separated into different groups (or separated politically by others). It seems that in Southern Dalmatia the Slavic identity lasted much longer. As centuries went by Coastal Dalmatian Slavs started to identify themselves as ''Dalmatians'' and as Croatians.  

According to  Marinko Gjivoje there is archaeological evidence from the '''16th century''' where the Croatian identity was starting to be used. Stone writings in Zavalatica are dedicated to events from 889 AD.<ref>[http://www.korcula.net/history/mmarelic/script.htm History-Korcula.net] Marko Marelic-S. Francisco-USA</ref> It describes a clash between the Slavic population and the Venetian army. Marinko Gjivoje wrote about the find in 1972. The stone writings use: Hrvat Dalmatinac in its writings. Hrvat means Croat in Croatian.<ref>It is believed that Hrvat. in medieval times was pronounced "'''Harvat or Hrovat'''". It was translated to Latin: Chroatorum and then simplified to Croatorum.</ref>

According to  Marinko Gjivoje there is archaeological evidence from the '''16th century''' where the Croatian identity was starting to be used. Stone writings in Zavalatica are dedicated to events from 889 AD.<ref>[http://www.korcula.net/history/mmarelic/script.htm History-Korcula.net] Marko Marelic-S. Francisco-USA</ref> It describes a clash between the Slavic population and the Venetian army. Marinko Gjivoje wrote about the find in 1972. The stone writings use: Hrvat Dalmatinac in its writings. Hrvat means Croat in Croatian.<ref>It is believed that Hrvat in medieval times was pronounced '''Harvat''' ''or'' Hrovat. It was translated to Latin: Chroatorum and then simplified to Croatorum.</ref>

== A Record of History Korcula Dialect==

== A Record of History Korcula Dialect==