Originally Posted by chicagofrog
where is hypocritism here? i just defend an alternative view that especially someone like you should understand, being a hrvat and all.
that said,
1) i know that for the moment France, Italy, UK, Spain... exist and it would be stupid to deny their present (i.e. historical) existence (still, i allow myself to do so as a joke once in a while, as well as a freeing technique to relax a lil bit), which doesn't mean that one, intelligent person, has to accept the status quo as it is (same thing about all things in this world, social, ecological, etc. crises and issues...) - actually, one can oppose oneself to it, and want to change it, thus making possible a turn in history (well, of course, not one person alone...), what is what happened throughout history
2) i don't defend a completely virtual-reality-alternative either. you're right when you say most (especially young) people feel Italian in Italy. you're right when you point out the presence of Italian (overwhelming it's true, sadly enough) in cities like Milan - i see it myself, what dya think?) BUT
you're wrong and blind on purpose if you say there are no other languages in Italy, or that they are not used anymore - go to Venice and you'll hear it on the streets, have 10 Italian friends and you'll see that at least 6-7 speak another language, even if they call it dialect (depending on the region, of course, Veneto being especially strong since 9 of 10 people i know from there speak Venetan at home, and it'S even stronger in the south, where most children speak Neapolitan or Sicilian)
see, this is where you're wrong, i never said there AREN'T different languages in italy, i took your word for it as i assume you know what you're talking about and can tell the difference between a language and a dialect....where you and i disagree is that language equals nationality....i simply don't think it's true...and in the case of italy, i think they're all italians, they feel italian despite the fact that they perhapse speak different languages....and they ALL know how to speak italian...
plus, from what i've heard, italian dialects/languages are in common use in every region meaning they are in a better position than most minority languages/dialects....and still, there is NO awareness of a separate national identity....which is something you pruposfully neglect to mention....
where ever there is such an awareness, i'm all for separation and the creation of a separate country....
Originally Posted by chicagofrog
last but not least, i don't care whether you have the same opinions, but you changed from supportive when i supported you, to agressively funny about my opinions (since i like humor, and a very black one too - i'm not Californian or German full of taboos that limit my jokes - that was really okay), to overtly opposed to anything i post, even the jokes you then choose to ignore. the same technique like the person i hinted at, so yes, that's more mature than you'll ever be if you stay the way you are.
yes, i thought the sign was funny, i should have said something about it, but i chose to tease you instead...i'm not opposed to everything you post, this italian thing just happens to be the thing that i don't agree with you on...
Originally Posted by chicagofrog
and your country doesn't have its own language. you speak Serbo-Croatian. i don't see why you should deserve independence, while Genoa, Milan and Veneto do have their own languages!
main difference, we've always had a separate national identity, the REGIONS you speak of have not....and do not....if and when they start to think of themselves as Genovese or Milanese MORE THAN ITALIAN, then your case will be made and i'll agree...