Do you find word ''balkans'' derogatory ?

**Jana** · 02-03-2018, 05:05 PM

Please vote in the poll! And I am especially interested in opinion of members from countries which are often mentioned in such context.

**~~Demon Revival~~** · 02-03-2018, 05:28 PM

Yes, it's an evil Turkish word used to put down the local Slavic population.

**Jana** · 02-03-2018, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Demon Revival

Yes, it's an evil Turkish word used to put down the local Slavic population.

I want to be honest. I feel insulted when Croatia is mentioned in context with the ''balkans'' and I don't actually find those ''region'' nearly as bad as the name itself.

I don't feel comfortable to be classified in balkans group, and I'm sure there are others who feel the same.

**Kelmendasi** · 02-03-2018, 05:34 PM

Personally, i'm not offended by it

**Jana** · 02-03-2018, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Kelmendasi

Personally, i'm not offended by it

Wouldn't southeastern Europe sound lot better ?

**Kelmendasi** · 02-03-2018, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Stearsolina

Wouldn't southeastern Europe sound lot better ?

To me it's Synonymous to Balkans, but it would sound better as people would have an idea of where these countries are located

**Jana** · 02-03-2018, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Kelmendasi

To me it's Synonymous to Balkans, but it would sound better as people would have an idea of where these countries are located

Top me it isn't synonomous . I associate Balkans with Turks, southeastern Europe just as real geographical region, to which southern Croatia belongs to

**~~Demon Revival~~** · 02-03-2018, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Stearsolina

I want to be honest. I feel insulted when Croatia is mentioned in context with the ''balkans'' and I don't actually find those ''region'' nearly as bad as the name itself.

I don't feel comfortable to be classified in balkans group, and I'm sure there are others who feel the same.

OK something seems odd here. Is this a problem with the etymology or is it a problem with the other countries there?

**Jana** · 02-03-2018, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by Demon Revival

OK something seems odd here. Is this a problem with the etymology or is it a problem with the other countries there?

With etymology only!

**Mingle** · 02-03-2018, 05:44 PM

The term historically used was Haemus Peninsula, a Greek word named after a Thracian. It was named after the same mountains that the Balkans are named after, but the word Balkan is of Turkish etymology. I prefer Haemus to Balkan, but I would rather have another term not named after the mountains. Something like Cisdanubia, but I don't like that name either cause it has 'cis' in it and it means that the term isn't unique to that region since a Transdanubia also exists. Haemus is an okay name though. But I feel like it should be a term used exclusively for the Eastern -Balkans whereas Adriatic/Dinaric should be used exclusively for the Western Balkans.

The term 'Danubia' or 'Ister/Isterland' (historic name of the Danube River) would be ideal.

I don't like using Southeast Europe because it is 'prefix + word'. It's the same issue I have with 'Cisdanubia' (and why I prefer Danubia/Ister/Isterland).

Anyways, I don't find the word 'Balkan' derogatory, but I'm not from the Balkans so that's why