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They speak a Romance language called Aromanian which is a similar language to Romanian. Due to the common language foundation, historians believe that the language link with Romania was interrupted between the 7th and 9th century, after the most important features of the language were formed.
The name Aromanian, just as Romanian derives directly from Latin "Romanus", through regular sound changes. The initial "a" is a feature of Aromanian language, of adding "a" in front of certain words.
Vlachs was a term used in the Medieval Balkans, as an exonym for all the Romanic people, but nowadays, it is commonly used only for the Aromanians, the Romanians being named Vlachs only in historical context.In Greece, they are not recognised as a minority, being considered to be Latin-speaking Greeks, although their culture and language have much in common with Romanians, rather than Greeks, which suggests a link with Romanians (one hypothesis is that Aromanians came to Northern Greece from the Danube region, another that they descent from Romanized local population -- however it is clear that until the 9th century, Romanians and Aromanians spoke the same language). Despite these facts many Aromanians considered themeselves as Greeks and played important role in Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire and generally in Greek society, like Ioannis Kolettis , first prime minister of Greece, Evangelos Averof ,minister of Defence during the Balkan Wars and Konstantinos Krystallis , famous poet.
The pressure put on them to abandon their language and traditions is not something new, since it can traced back to the 18th century, when assimilation efforts were encouraged by the Greek missionary Kosmas AitolosKosmas Aitolos was born in the village Mega Dendron in the Greek region of Aitolia in 1714. He studied Greek and Theology before becoming a monk after a trip to Mount Athos where he also attended the local Theological Academy. Afterwords, he started a num(1714-1779) who taught that Aromanians should speak Greek because as he said it's the language of our Church and established over 100 Greek schools in Northern and Western Greece.
The Aromanians, mostly herdsmen living in high mountains (especially in the PindusThe Pindus or Pindos mountains are a range located in central Greece, roughly 160 km (100 miles) long, with a maximum elevation of 2636 m (8650 ft), along the border of Thessaly and Epirus. The mountain range has a large Aromanian population. European mou area) in Northern Greece never had complete education in their language; although RomaniaRomania (formerly spelled Rumania or Roumania is a country in southeastern Europe. Romania is bordered by Ukraine and Moldova in the northeast, Hungary and Serbia in the west and Bulgaria to the south. Romania also has a small sea coast on the Black Sea. subsidized schools until 19481948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). Events January January 1 Nationalisation of UK railways to form British Railways. Arab militants lay siege to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. First day of the Ital, the communist regime ended all links, and there is currently almost no education for the Aromanian children in their mother tongue. It seems to be just a matter of time until they will be completely assimilated into the Greek society.
The European Parliamentary Assembly examined a report on the issue of the Aromanians in June ,24 19971997 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Reef''. Events January January 3 NBC's Today Show Bryant Gumbel signs off for the last time January 8 Mister Rogers receives a star on t, and adopted a recommendation that the Greek government should do whatever is necessary to respect their culture and facilitate education in Aromanian and its use in schools, churches and media.Also in 19981998 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Ocean''. Events January January 1998 A massive ice storm, caused by El Nino, strikes New England, southern Ontario and Quebec, resulting Greek President of Democracy Kostís Stephanópoulos stated in Metsovo,Epirus that Greek Aromanians should speak and teach their language, but little has been done since then.