The Germanicness of France [SPLIT from the Trolling thread]

**Gooding** · 10-30-2009, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by Loxias

I am not picking on you. I am just wondering.
I have been to Normandy plenty of time, I love this place, but I don't find it very Germanic at all. It's quite typically French. And I wouldn't call the French Germanic. We are a people on our own.

And to make things more confusing, the hexagone contains a unique national identity whilst retaining several ethnicities:a Gascon's not a Provencal, but both of them are far removed from Normans or Picards.Would a Dauphinois identify with a Savoyard? No, but they are all of the same French people. So maybe the term "French" could be likened to dressing that covers a very good garden salad, with ingredients delicious by themselves, but making a wonderfully new flavor when enjoyed together? Count on Siegfried to bring food into the discussion..

**~~Aemma~~** · 10-30-2009, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by Loxias

That's the thing, I am mostly of northern French heritage, with about 1 out 5 ancester coming from Germanic speaking communities (in Alsace-Lorraine), yet I would have never ever considered myself Germanic before coming here. And I don't think most Northern French would consider themselves Germanic either.

You personally don't perhaps but I can name off two other French members here who come from the same area and most ardently DO consider themselves Germanic.

As for most Northern French not considering themselves Germanic, I don't doubt this for a minute. But given the nature of France's republicanism, I'm afraid to say that this is far from suprising.

**Loxias** · 10-30-2009, 04:04 AM

Originally Posted by Siegfried

And to make things more confusing, the hexagone contains a unique national identity whilst retaining several ethnicities:a Gascon's not a Provencal, but both of them are far removed from Normans or Picards.Would a Dauphinois identify with a Savoyard? No, but they are all of the same French people. So maybe the term "French" could be likened to dressing that covers a very good garden salad, with ingredients delicious by themselves, but making a wonderfully new flavor when enjoyed together? Count on Siegfried to bring food into the discussion..

Hahaha, man, I couldn't say it better!

up

**Loxias** · 10-30-2009, 04:07 AM

Originally Posted by Aemma

You personally don't perhaps but I can name off two other French members here who come from the same area and most ardently DO consider themselves Germanic.

As for most Northern French not considering themselves Germanic, I don't doubt this for a minute. But given the nature of France's republicanism, I'm afraid to say that this is far from suprising.

I don't think republicanism has anything to do with it here. It's mostly a question of remaining Catholic, speaking a romance language, enjoying close cultural ties with Italy since before the Renaissance and counting England and then Germany as our main hereditary enemies. With all of those combined, identifying with Germanic culture and our Germanic genetic heritage (if it really does exist) doesn't come that naturally.

Maybe if I didn't look so ungermanic, I would give it a thought for myself, but now it would just be incongruous.

**~~Aemma~~** · 10-30-2009, 04:08 AM

Originally Posted by Loxias

I am not picking on you. I am just wondering.
I have been to Normandy plenty of time, I love this place, but I don't find it very Germanic at all. It's quite typically French. And I wouldn't call the French Germanic. We are a people on our own.

My folk came from that area during the 1660's Loxias. It was a different France altogether. Modern France is nothing like the France from which my forebears came. But despite this it does not make me any less a descendant of Norman people nor of French people. Quebec's motto "Je me souviens" speaks more to that than I could ever adequately express.

**~~Aemma~~** · 10-30-2009, 04:11 AM

Originally Posted by Loxias

I am not picking on you. I am just wondering.
I have been to Normandy plenty of time, I love this place, but I don't find it very Germanic at all. It's quite typically French. And I wouldn't call the French Germanic. We are a people on our own.

Well neither would I. Not all parts of France are Germanic. The South certainly has very little claim to being Germanic in any way shape or form.

**Loxias** · 10-30-2009, 04:11 AM

Originally Posted by Aemma

My folk came from that area during the 1660's Loxias. It was a different France altogether. Modern France is nothing like the France from which my forebears came. But despite this it does not make me any less a descendant of Norman people nor of French people. Quebec's motto "Je me souviens" speaks more to that than I could ever adequately express.

I don't think they were culturally nor genetically very difference from Normand people nowadays, except for new settlers from other regions during the last 2 or 3 decades, French population hasn't been that mobile (except when it came to emigrating to Paris).

**Loxias** · 10-30-2009, 04:18 AM

Originally Posted by Aemma

Well neither would I. Not all parts of France are Germanic. The South certainly has very little claim to being Germanic in any way shape or form.

So, where would you deliminate the Germanicness of France?

**Psychonaut** · 10-30-2009, 07:56 AM

My first thread on this forum was about this very topic. I still agree with my conclusion that using migration period meta-ethnic terminology is wholly inappropriate for giving any kind of meaningful label to the French. IMO, I am ethnically Acadian and meta-ethnically Western (or, more correctly, Faustian if you've read Spengler).