Re: [tied] Re: substratum

From: Davius Sanctex
Message: 23820
Date: 2003-06-25

[m_iacomi] One can suppose very well that a part of X speakers became Romanized while another part tenaciously resisted. Are there any linguistical or historical arguments pointing towards complete Romanization of X speakers and tenacious resistence
opposed by X' speakers (> Basque)?!
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[davius] I think the evidence support that Roman State was not specially interested in any sort of "linguistical planning". It was precisely the interest of the indigenous elites of Italy, Spain and Gaul the main impulse for the adoption of Latin. People in rural areas maitained for more time the language, and was not particularly interested in learn Latin if this do not reported any economical income.
Modern states, and most recent Empires have been interested in "linguistical planning", but the simple projection of the "linguistical behavior" of modern states to ancient states can be simply misleading.