NationStates Jolt Archive

Barbaric often carries a negative connation, as seen by it's definition.

The Germanic and Gaulish Barbarian Tribes North of Rome were very complex and civilised people. Just because they didn't wear shirts often, doesn't mean they were uneducated lowly scum.They had their own complex culture, set of values, traditions, and were just as "civlized" as any other contemporary civilization.

I find the word "kittens" to be offensive - fluffy little bastards

the word barbarian doesn't have any inherent negative connotations... it's just the term used to describe non Greek people by the Greeks, since apparently, all foreign languages to a Hellenic ear sounded like "bar bar barbarbar, bar bar bar" and so the term "barbarian" was born. It simply means someone who isn't Greek. Since these tribes weren't Greek, they were assuredly barbarians.

True, but I doubt the Germanic and Gaulish Barbarian Tribes North of Rome were greatly offended by Roman or Greek misconceptions. :rolleyes:

I'd thought the term related to people from the Barbary Coast region...

I find the word "offensive" to be offensive, particularly as its used to convey umbrage or indignance at a perceived slight.

Offensive line players are just as civilized and athletically valid as the defensive squad. Very few points would be scored in NFL style football without the offense.

In fact, now that I think about it, I'm upset by etymology in its entirety. Its almost like language develops over long periods of time, with the influence and bias of changing cultures and mores creating a constant dynamic of meaning and ideology.

Put an end to the hatred now. Vote Esperanto!

I'd thought the term related to people from the Barbary Coast region...

I'm obviously open to being wrong... but I'm fairly sure that it is the origin of the phrase "all non-Greeks are barbarians."

ok, it's not common, but it DOES exist...

I find the word "kittens" to be offensive - fluffy little bastards

Don't forgot Bunnies!

:D

The word "barbarian" was derived from the Latin word "barbarus", which meant and only meant "foreigner". It was only until after the Empire did the word begin to become a derogatory word.

*shrug* I have no difference toward the matter. Just thought I'd let ya know.

Barbaric often carries a negative connation, as seen by it's definition.

The Germanic and Gaulish Barbarian Tribes North of Rome were very complex and civilised people. Just because they didn't wear shirts often, doesn't mean they were uneducated lowly scum.They had their own complex culture, set of values, traditions, and were just as "civlized" as any other contemporary civilization.Pity the Greeks are to blame for the word "Barbarian" isn't it?

The word "barbarian" was derived from the Latin word "barbarus", which meant and only meant "foreigner". It was only until after the Empire did the word begin to become a derogatory word.

*shrug* I have no difference toward the matter. Just thought I'd let ya know.Was it? As far as I've heard the word comes from Greek and was onomatopoetic in origin. The Greeks imitated the "foreign" speech as "barbar" and gave that name to foreigners...

Why complain about barbarian when it's cake we should be offended by. Look how many things it's used for! Such multi-meaning is a crime!

To be honest the only word that offends me is "Gringo". I know it's the spanish word for "Whitey" but something about that word doesn't sit right with me.

Everyone seems to be focused on the prefix, but what about the suffix? Barbarian. Think it has anything to do with Aryans?

I thought it was from "Berbers" - a North-west African tribe/ethnicity. :confused:

On the same note, any Vandal here who find the word "vandalism" as extremely offensive ? :D

Everyone seems to be focused on the prefix, but what about the suffix? Barbarian. Think it has anything to do with Aryans?

The mythical Aryan race strikes again !

I am proud to be a descendant of Barbarians. I still am overcome sporadically by a thirst for rapine and murder. I sometimes partake in lavish drunken orgies. I occasionally eat roasted meats in great quantity. I am deeply offended by anyone who would be offended by the proud name of "Barbarian".

I find the word Barbaric extremely offensive.

Ummm... congratulations?

I am proud to be a descendant of Barbarians. I still am overcome sporadically by a thirst for rapine and murder. I sometimes partake in lavish drunken orgies. I occasionally eat roasted meats in great quantity. I am deeply offended by anyone who would be offended by the proud name of "Barbarian".
You're referring to the Mongols, not Barbarians... :D
(Ever have any visions of horse-mounted warriors turning people you disagree with into pincushions? :p )

I'm a 21st century barbarian, and I'm proud of it. :cool:

I was taught in my Medieval class that the word "Barbarian" describes people who do not speak Greek nor Latin.

I was taught in my Medieval class that the word "Barbarian" describes people who do not speak Greek nor Latin.
nor Chinese nor Japanese.

Pirates be also Barbarians. If you don't agree, I'll festoon my bedchamber with your guts.

I was taught in my Medieval class that the word "Barbarian" describes people who do not speak Greek nor Latin.

That comes from the latin word Barbarus meaning foriegner (or someone who didn't speak the leet speak of the time).

But that was covered in this thread already.

Barbarians sack San Francisco. 35 gold plundered.

Pirates be also Barbarians. If you don't agree, I'll festoon my bedchamber with your guts.

Why? :eek: Sounds messy. Why don't you festoon somewhere that the enemies are or will have to see if they approach you. Who the hell want s to sleep/etc. in a room full of guts?!? ;)

To be honest the only word that offends me is "Gringo". I know it's the spanish word for "Whitey" but something about that word doesn't sit right with me.

Not quite accurate: it's the Mexican word for "American". If you're European, you're not a Gringo (and if you are called that, the term is being used incorrectly). Apparently, the term originated during the American-Mexican war, during which, whenever Mexican villagers saw the American troops marching past in their green uniforms, they would chant "Green go home! Green go home!"

Barbarian... Now where'd that name come from? According to Wikipedia:
Barbarian was originally a Greek term applied to any foreigner, one not sharing a recognized culture or degree of polish with the speaker or writer employing the term. The word expressed with mocking duplication ("bar-bar") alleged attempts by outsiders to speak a "real" language. A "barbarism" in language, especially Greek or Latin, is a misformed word, such as a solecism or a malapropism. Related terms are barbaric and barbarous.Source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbarian)
So there's the answer. The Greeks were unable to properly pronounce something someone else said, and turned it into their word to describe foreigners, specifically those with "inferior" culture.
Dictionary.com has this to say about it's origin:
[From Latin barbarus, from Greek barbaros, non-Greek, foreign. See barbarous.]Source (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=barbarous)
(You may notice how the search entry says "barbarous" and not barbarian (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=barbarian). This is because it doesn't bother going further than the Latin root of the word in that entry)
And here's a picture for good measure ;) :
http://images.art.com/images/products/large/10102000/10102058.jpg

Barbarians sack San Francisco. 35 gold plundered.That brings back memories :D

Barbaric often carries a negative connation, as seen by it's definition.

The Germanic and Gaulish Barbarian Tribes North of Rome were very complex and civilised people. Just because they didn't wear shirts often, doesn't mean they were uneducated lowly scum.They had their own complex culture, set of values, traditions, and were just as "civlized" as any other contemporary civilization.



Dind't they rape many innocent women and pillage the great Roman empire till it was virtually destroyed bringing the Dark Ages to Europe and the extreme poverty helped cause the black death that killed almost half of everyone in Europe? (or did younot take world history)(unless you failed)

i am descended the Celtic tribes.

i am descended the Celtic tribes.

That doesn't say a thing about your origins. The Celts were spread all throughout Europe.

Dind't they rape many innocent women and pillage the great Roman empire till it was virtually destroyed bringing the Dark Ages to Europe and the extreme poverty helped cause the black death that killed almost half of everyone in Europe? (or did younot take world history)(unless you failed)

Considering that the Roman Empire was actively trying to occupy the territories of various barbarian cultures at the time, pillaging it seems fairly reasonable in the circumstances. The Dark Ages were the result of this, yes. The black death can't really be attributed to barbarians, as it occurred a good few centuries later, and would have been far less damaging if there had not been the network of trading ships to carry the disease- which very few barbarian cultures would have had. Rape was common among all invading armies of the period.

Dind't they rape many innocent women and pillage the great Roman empire till it was virtually destroyed bringing the Dark Ages to Europe and the extreme poverty helped cause the black death that killed almost half of everyone in Europe? (or did younot take world history)(unless you failed)Hm... considering that even the Romans were considered "barbarians," that statement is pretty misguided...

Was it? As far as I've heard the word comes from Greek and was onomatopoetic in origin. The Greeks imitated the "foreign" speech as "barbar" and gave that name to foreigners...

It very well might have been. The Romans adopted many of their words and phrases (not to mention beliefs and culture) from the Greeks. "Barbar" may have been among them.

Now you know...

And knowing is half the battle!

EDIT: "Barbar" reminds me of Babar the Elephant, who was quite civilised. Weird...

I still am overcome sporadically by a thirst for rapine and murder. I sometimes partake in lavish drunken orgies. I occasionally eat roasted meats in great quantity.
:)Those were the days.:)

i am descended the Celtic tribes.

3/4th Irish! Woot!

*dons wode and falls into an awen, ready to slaughter the masses*

Everyone seems to be focused on the prefix, but what about the suffix? Barbarian. Think it has anything to do with Aryans?

No. It's Ian. Guys named Ian whose speach sounds like "bar bar bar." It's the equivalent of calling a Mexican guy "Pedro" without learning his name. :D

I find the word "offensive" to be offensive, particularly as its used to convey umbrage or indignance at a perceived slight.

Offensive line players are just as civilized and athletically valid as the defensive squad. Very few points would be scored in NFL style football without the offense.

In fact, now that I think about it, I'm upset by etymology in its entirety. Its almost like language develops over long periods of time, with the influence and bias of changing cultures and mores creating a constant dynamic of meaning and ideology.

Put an end to the hatred now. Vote Esperanto!LOL!!

Barbaric often carries a negative connation, as seen by it's definition.

The Germanic and Gaulish Barbarian Tribes North of Rome were very complex and civilised people. Just because they didn't wear shirts often, doesn't mean they were uneducated lowly scum.They had their own complex culture, set of values, traditions, and were just as "civlized" as any other contemporary civilization.
Are you serious?
Of all the things to be annoyed about.

I find the word "kittens" to be offensive - fluffy little bastards

Welcome back, champ ;)

I find the word "Monkeypimp" to be offensive. Monkey Hoes Unite!

Then why not have the government outlaw the word barbaric?