Romania: The National Self
National identity, reliant mainly on a
country’s language, territory, religion, history, and/or heritage, is a prime
aspect in the unity of a nation (Green, 2019). By contrasting themselves from internal
or external “other”, a nation can embrace their distinct national identity (Triandafyllidou, 1998). Regarding their own national
identity, the people of Romania emphasize the deep-rooted history of their
nation and their unification that remained strong even when overcoming national
and international conflicts (Cristea, 2015).
Language, a key component to
national identity, has been modified throughout Romania’s history (Hanners,
1999). Dating back to about two-thousand years ago, part of the nation’s
current territory was inhabited by the Dacians who spoke a Thracian language
(Cristea, 2015). Taken under Roman occupation in the second century, the
language was Romanized, and Latin was eventually spoken throughout the area
(Hanners, 1999). During the Slavs’ residency in the Dacia area during the 7th
century and throughout the 9th century, the Romanian language and pronunciation
was heavily influenced by Slavonic words, distinguishing Romanian from other
Romance languages by replacing several terms with Slavonic words (Hanners,
1999). With a dissatisfaction for Slavic influence on the language, 19th-century
Romanian linguists made an effort to re-Latinize their language (Hanners,
1999). However, under communist rule after World War II, the Soviet Union
enforced a new Slavicized orthography to eradicate Romanian’s Latin roots
(Cristea, 2015). Following the Soviet troops’ retreat in 1958, the Romanian
people reclaimed their Latin roots to “emphasize [their] Roman heritage”
(Cristea, 2015). Today, the Romanian language is not exclusive to Romania, as
it is also spoken in Moldova, but its formation and revision throughout
centuries signifies Romania’s long-standing, rich history (Omniglot, 2019;
Cristea, 2015).
After the fall of communism in 1989,
the Romanian Orthodox Church played a prominent role in the rebuilding of the
nation (Romocea, 2011). Although the Roman Orthodox Church historically
concentrated on religious and spiritual matters and depending on political
forces to handle the country’s secular issues, the morals and beliefs it teaches
heavily influence the desired direction of Romania (Ediger, 2005). Several
well-known clergymen and laity participated along with the post-communist regime
interim government to create new policies and laws for the nation, especially
regarding the renewal of the church (Romocea, 2011). Because of the suppression
of religious practices during the socialist republic era, many current
political parties form alliances with the Romanian Orthodox Church to battle
former communist activists (Romocea, 2011). These alliances help gain support
for politicians, as over 80% of the Romanian population belong to the Eastern
Orthodox church (Central Intelligence Agency, 2019).
The “notion of the ‘other'” is an imperative factor in defining
a country’s national identity (Triandafyllidou, 1998). In contrasting
themselves from another country or group of people, the people of a nation can
further illustrate their own collective identity (Triandafyllidou, 1998). One
example of an internal minority “othered” by the majority of of the Romanians is
the Romani people, who make up around 5-11% of Romania’s population (Boia,
2001; Central Intelligence Agency, 2019). Romani people are perceived by
Romanians as a threat the country’s public image abroad, thus are blamed for the
“insecurities of everyday life,” such as robberies and murders (Boia, 2001). Even
well-regarded political figures, such as former president Traian Băsescu
and founder of the Greater Romania Party Corneliu Vadium Tudor, isolate the
internal minority in their speeches, considering them a group who “morally
destroys the Romanian society” (Billström, 2008).
Another
significant other to Romania, both internal and external, is the Hungarians.
Making up about 6% of the country’s population, Hungarians are the second
largest ethnic group in Romania (Central Intelligence Agency, 2019).
Considerably the largest threat the Hungarians pose to the Romanians is the
conception of territorial history (Flora, Szilagyi, & Roudometof, 2005). Transylvania,
located in what is now the north-western region of Romania, had formerly been inhabited
by three ethnic groups: the Romanians, the Hungarians, and the Saxons, and was
an “integral part of the medieval Kingdom of Hungary” (Flora, Szilagyi, & Roudometof,
2005). However, the description of Transylvania according to Romanian mythology
differs with the description according to Hungarian mythology (Boia, 2011). This
conflict threatens the credibility of Romanian history, which is vital aspect
of national identity (Berger, 2009). In alienating the Hungarians and refusing
to acknowledge their historical records, Romania defines their national
identity through their own comprehension of their mythology and history (Boia,
2011).
Today, in
efforts to eradicate the remaining communist influence on the nation, Romania
tries to model after western European countries (Billström, 2008). Prior to joining
the European Union, Romania’s society was transformed to meet the Copenhagen
criteria to be eligible to be a part of the Union; the criteria emphasizing the
needs for the people by “guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights,
and respect for and protection of minorities” (Billström, 2008; European Parliament,
1993). The criteria also highlights economic and political aspects by requiring
“a functioning market” and the ability to effectively function with pressure
within and obligations for the Union, as well as an administration that applies
the Union’s laws into practice (European Parliament, 1993). This emergence of
marketization and democratization is a drastic shift from Romania’s policies
and ideology as a socialist republic, thus signifies the nation’s progression
and capability to recover from past damages (Firebaugh & Sandu, 1998).
By
simultaneously reflecting policies and principles of western nations and
upholding the significance of its long-standing history and traditions, Romania
creates a unique national identity which unites aspects between the East and West
(Cristea, 2015). The nation’s reclamation of language and religion and the
successful reformation in society after decades of communist rule not only
indicate the importance of origin and history that the Romanian people
acknowledge, but the continuity of the country that remains strong through
struggling times (Cristea, 2015; Berger 2009).
References
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