From: alex@took.enet.dec.com ("Alex Allister Shvartsman, EMF,              LKG2-2/T2")
Newsgroups: soc.culture.soviet
Subject: Re: Romanian language
Date: 7 Sep 92 02:10:17 GMT
Reply-To: "soc.culture.soviet via ListServ" <SCS-L@indycms.iupui.edu>

Sergei Viznyuk writes:

#>>[SV] As you may know, the ORIGINAL script of MOLDAVIAN language was Cyrrilic,
#>> except for the time, Moldova was occupied by Romania, i.e. during 20 years.
#>> Therefore, the question is WHY Moldavians were FORCED to change their
#>> script to Latin ? [...]
#>
#>Sergei, could you please substantiate your assertion thet the "ORIGINAL
#>script of MOLDAVIAN language was Cyrillic"?
#
#[SV]  Moldavia was part of Russian Empire since sirca 1813,

Wrong! Basarabia was part of the Russian Empire since about that time.
Bassarabia is only the Eastern Moldavia/Moldova.

#[SV] it was annexed by Romania in 1918 (taking advantage of situation
# in Russia). Until that time, i.e. until 1918 the script of
# language used in Moldavia (or as it was called then, Bessarabia-
# you can call this language Romanian, if you like, even though
# there were no such notion as Romania until 1850ies)
# was Cyrillic, as I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong.
#  After annexation by Romania, the script was changed to
# Latin and remained such until Moldavia's re-annexation
# by Uncle Joe i.e. during 20 years.

Wrong again! You might find it educational that the alphabet in the entire
Moldova (East and West) and the alphabet in the Stalin's Autonomous
Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (i.e., much of Transnistria) were one
and the same -- Latin! It was not until late 1930s that the alphabet in
Transnistria/AMSSR is changed to Cyrillic. This was done as a precursor to
Stalin's re-annexation of East Moldova.

# > Could you also explain to
# > us what is the difference between the Romanian and Moldovan languages?
#
#[SV] The same as difference between Romanians and Moldovans.

Good. Then we agree that there is no difference.

#[SV] Or would you claim # that the word Moldovans is the Stalin's invention ?
# Or better tell this to # Moldovan - they are not in a hurry to rename
# themselves into Romanians.

What is Stalin's invention is that (East) Moldovans are an ethnic group
distinct from Romanians. Romania was created in the mid-19th century when
the Danubian principalities of Wallachia in Moldova gained independence
from Turkey and were united in effect by popular vote -- the people of the
two areas felt that they were one nation with common language and tradition.

If you were familiar with the history, linguistics and politics of the
region, you would have known that Moldovans today (unlike in xUSSR) use
the term "Moldova" in a geographical sense, and not in a national or
ethnic sense. Latin was restored (replacing Cyrillic) just like Romanian
flag replaced the Soviet flag in East Moldova -- by public acclamation.
The eventual unification of East Moldova with Romania is as certain as
unification of the two Germanies. But politics will take time.

# >Also, if you do not mind, could you tell as WHERE is Moldova located
# >and when were Moldovans forced to switch alphabets?
#
#  See above and map of the world.

It is apparent that you are only aware of the Soviet version of geography.
I repeat for your benefit that what you call "Moldavia" is only the
East part of Moldova aka Basarabia. The West part of Moldova has been
a part of Romania since its establishment.

Alex
Newsgroups: soc.culture.soviet