Talk:Czech Republic

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Contents 1 Requested move 1.1 Support 1.2 Oppose 1.3 Comments 2 Foreign Relations merge 3 The name Czechia 4 Proposal to move (January 2005 - May 2005 discussion) 5 Your Heading Here 6 Religions 7 Improvement drive 8 Culture\Food 9 Czech Republic's incorrect formation and independence 10 The "Czech Lands" 11 Tschechei 12 Besides on Wikipedia, the name "czechia" doesn't exist 12.1 Czechia/Czechy versus Czech Republic 13 Demographics? 14 Czechia again 15 Bohemia again 16 Czechia 17 "Dismemberment" ? 18 An idea - why not go by postage stamps? 19 Proposed Policy about the CR/Czechia issue 20 Public Hearing in the Czech Senate 21 >Zanatic< calling Czech Republic > "CECHO" like GECO! insult! there is no such country in NATO! no such hockey team.) 22 vandalism by 71.99.xxxxx 23 but now it seems to be quite settled down in the language as it is widely used in Czech media. 23.1 A comment on Czechia 24 Pro-Czechia activists 24.1 Juro reverts again 24.2 Juro reverts once more 25 Cubic Zirconia 26 Motto 27 Religions of the Czech Republic 28 Non-standard and potentially POV map should be reverted 29 How do you pronounce Czechia? 30 About the name of our country: Czech Republic, Czechia, Bohemia??? 31 No history?

[edit] Requested move

[edit] Foreign Relations merge

I think it would be appropriate to merge the Czech Republic/Foreign relations and Czech Republic/Transnational issues into a single article, titled "Foreign relations of the Czech Republic". I'd leave both subpage links as redirects to the new article. Would anyone object to such an idea? -- April 08:33 Aug 28, 2002 (PDT)

I thought it was agreed to rename all X/Transnational Issues pages to Foreign relations of X, so I'd say nobody will object this. Jeronimo

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[edit] The name Czechia

Why does Wikipedia not name the article about Germany "Federal Republic of Germany" and the article about France "French Republic", while the article about Czechia is named Czech Republic? Why do you use the official name in this single case?? - Miroslav

It's not called this because it's the official name, but because it's the name most commonly used in an English-language context - it's a general Wikipedia policy to do this. --Camembert

Despite my edit some weeks ago adding Czechia to the Europe page, i support the group of edits that, in the last 24 hours, drastically downgrades the use of the term. (I'm about to edit one use of it into the new text, which may fix a slight awkwardness. If i'm being too prissy, i hope someone will revert or improve it.) --Jerzy 13:51, 2003 Oct 19 (UTC)

Could it be that Czechia is so rarely used because it is so similar in pronunciation to Chechnya? --128.176.76.16 08:11, 25 Mar 2004 (UTC)

I doubt it. Consider the case of Georgia and Georgia, or Congo and Congo, or even Australia and Austria. There are plenty of similar-sounding geographic names. I think it's because (as far as I know) the name Czechia has never been used in English before, so it's a strange-sounding word to most people, and the name Czech Republic was ingrained into people's minds first. To be honest, many people I talk to still refer to Czechoslovakia; even worse, when I tell people I'm studying Czech, they ask me, "Oh, you mean Czechoslovakian?", as if the word Czech is somehow an abbreviation for Czechoslovakian as trig is to trigonometry. Sigh. If only we could issue a giant electromagnetic blast or something and burn the words Czech and Czechia into everyone's brains. --Bkell 08:26, 25 Mar 2004 (UTC)

It remains a real mystery why the name "Czechia" has never caught on among English-speakers, but I agree that it is a fact that it has not and that the name given to this article is, for now at least, the correct one.

The only reason I can think of is the look of the word itself. While (pace Bkell) few have ever had any problems with the word "Czech", which has seen long employment -- and was also frequently, if erroneously, used to mean Czechoslovak(ian) -- the written form "Czechia" looks hard to pronounce. Is that "Chek-kia" or is it meant to be "Cheh-hia"? And if you try throwing "Czechia" into your conversation, "to try it out for size", people tend to look at you somewhat pityingly: you are clearly either a little mad ("he's making up his own names for countries now") or so uneducated that you don't know the country is called either (to those who have been asleep for the last dozen years or so) "Czechoslovakia" or (to those who do follow foreign news) "the Czech Republic".

Has there not also been a certain lack of will on the part of the Czechs themselves, however? The people of Belarus have had far more success in persuading the English-speaking world to call their country by a name of their own choosing. Are the Czechs too unassertive to be able to point out now and again that "actually we'd prefer it if you called our country Czechia"? -- 81.133.73.122 15:08, 27 Mar 2004 (UTC)

Just my 2 cents, but I've always felt that "The Czech Republic" was an awkward construction as articulated in English. That being said, "Czechia" wouldn't be much better, in the clumsiness department. Dukeofomnium 20:49, 22 Jun 2004 (UTC)

I'm surprised no one mentioned this already: I read a few years ago that the reason the Czechs don't use "Cheh-hia" or something similar to that is because that's the name the Germans gave it when it was a rump state in World War II. Too many bad memories over that, understandably, is the reason given. Has anyone heard different? Krupo 01:49, Jun 23, 2004 (UTC)

Thats realy not the reason. First, during German occupation, the land was named "Reichsprotektorat Böhmen und Mähren" (German), which translates to Czech "Říšský protektorát Čechy a Morava". In Czech it was usualy abbreviated "protektorat". Translation to English would be "Reichs protectorate Bohemia and Moravia", but I wonder, how important that was - English speaking countries were Allies, and standard name propably was "occupied Czechoslovakia".

So there no direct or indirect link to Czechia, and this theorz is completelz wrong.Wikimol 07:43, 26 Jun 2004 (UTC)

What Krupo means is the German word "Tschechei" instead of the older (and present-day) form "Tschechien". Tschechei was (by coincidence) used during the Nazi period, so that the Czechs do not like it. But this has nothing to do with Czechia, which is the Enhglish equivalent for both Tschechien and Tschechei. The real reason for the use of Czech Republic instead of Czechia is that the Czechs themselves initially used the Czech equivalent of Czech Republic rather than Czechia (reasons: see Czech lands), so that all translators used Czech Republic in English as well, so that English-speaking people started to think that this is the correct usage. Nowadays many Czechs understand this "error" and use the Czech equivalent of Czechia increasingly, but for the English-speaking world it seems to be too late, although Czech Republic is in fact ridiculous and Czechia is historically and geographically correct, short und clear. Juro

Thanks for the clarification. To understand how difficult it can be to change, consider people who want the word collision/crash to be used in place of accident in the context of car crashes. It takes a bit of mental re-programming to get used to that, or Czechia for that matter.... :) Krupo 20:18, Jun 27, 2004 (UTC)

I guess, Czechia didn't come to wider usage yet because it was simply not used. The truth is that Czechs didn't know how to call the country when Slovakia left the federation. However, Czechia is more and more used, I meet more and more people across Europe who use this word. An official name sounds too officialy and is not pleasant for many people. Many Czechs feel, a short name is needed. Wikipedia is a very fast medium and can use this short and correct word among the first ones. There are several reasons why to use shorter version:

• It is official since 1993 similarly to the long name.
• Althought dictionaries are usually very conservative media, we can found Czechia even in them: Try dict.cc (ENG-GER), Online-translator(ENG-RUS), Oxford Reference and Free ENG-CZ. Wikipedia also knows Czechia and this page is used even by some dictionaries, try Webster's online dictionary.
• Czech Wikipedia also uses the Czech equivalent Česko as its primary name.
• Similarly bg:Чехия, ca:Txèquia, da:Tjekkiet, de:Tschechien, eo:Ĉeĥio, fi:Tšekki, he:צ'כיה?, ja:チェコ?, nl:Tsjechië, no:Tsjekkia, pl:Czechy, sv:Tjeckien, uk:Чехія, zh:捷克共和国?.

All these languages are among top languages in Wikipedia and they have a short variant as a primary one. I marked he, ja and zh versions with a question mark because I am not able to decide if this is really a short version. I suppose, yes. Miraceti 00:43, 21 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I fear that many of these names, including the Czech one, are not simple equivalents of "Czechia", as they mean both "Bohemia" and (by extension) the whole Czech state. -- Naive cynic 01:09, 21 Dec 2004 (UTC)

You are not right, it is enough to click on the links to get a proof. I cannot say anything about he, ja and zh due to non-latin alphabet and bg, fi and uk due to a lack of information on their pages (but I will ask my friends) but all other languages distinguish between "Czechia" and "Bohemia". See ca:Bohèmia, da:Bøhmen, de:Böhmen, eo:Bohemio, nl:Bohemen, no:Bøhmen, pl:Bohemia, sv:Böhmen. Miraceti 09:59, 21 Dec 2004 (UTC)

fi:Böömi

cs:Čechy

uk:Бохемія

I said 'many of', not 'all'. Чехия (Bulgarian, Russian), Чехија (Macedonian), Τσεχία (Greek), Čehija (Latvian), Čekija (Lithuanian), Češka (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovenian), Csehország (Hungarian), Czechy (Polish) - all of them have both meanings. In colloquial, rather than formal usage, it is also often true for Czech and Slovakian Čechy. Polish Bohemia, which you refer to, is not a stylistically neutral variant, but rather a poetic one (and it is also the case for Russian Богемия). It has been, apparently, used on pl: only for a need of disambiguating name. -- Naive cynic 18:41, 21 Dec 2004 (UTC)

You are absolutely right, in fact, Bohemia is a traditional name of the country (used until 1918) in English and IMHO should be used again. When Bohemia regained its independence in 1918, it was decided to rename it "Czechoslovakia" to show that it is a country of Czechs (Bohemia) and Slovaks (acquired territories in northern Hungary, now Slovakia). When Slovakia seceded, we should get back to Bohemia instead of creating another strange word after "Czechoslovakia", now "Czechia". (This renaming took place mostly in Romance and Germanic languages, where the traditional "Celtic" name derived from Boi tribe remained in use over centuries.) -- Qertis 19:55, 21 Dec 2004 (UTC)

No, the term Česko for the geographical Czech territory exists at least since the middle ages, it was codified in 1777. The English equivalent exists since centuries as well. "Česko" was also used thrghout the existence of Czechoslovakia, although rarely (you can find it in texts referring to 1918, 1968 and for example in the book "Zeměpisná jména Československa" [Geographical names of Czechoslovakia] of 1982 written by experts on such things). The term Bohemia always referred only to western Czechia, while the rest was called Moravia and Silesia. If the term Bohemia was used for all Czech lands, it was an error stemming from the correct term "Lands of the Bohemian crown". In addition, it was the Czechs themselves who insisted on replacing the terms "Bohemian" (Böhmisch) with Czech in the 19th century (not in the 20th century). (Finally, you should not denote Slovakia as "acquired territory", because that's historically not correct...) Juro 22:00, 21 Dec 2004 (UTC)

"Česko" is just a modern form of "Čechy" (I have seen some "Česko, Morava a Slezsko" phrases several times) like Rakousy-Rakousko, Španěly-Španělsko etc. and the factual difference between these two terms is only additional. Bohemia always referred to the realm ruled by the king of Bohemia, which means also present-day Moravia and Silesia, and not only Bohemia proper. Austria is not only Upper and Lower Austria (Austria proper), Poland is more than just Greater Poland and Bohemia is simply more than Bohemia proper. You are right that "Czechs" and "Bohemians" were distinguished earlier, but "Magyars" and "Hungarians" as well and there is no "Magyaria" on the English map of Europe. In short, there is no reason to fight for Czechia when you have such a nice and time-proven name. (As for Slovakia, it wasn't meant to be rude, there are just some historians promoting this point of view...) -- Qertis 01:43, 22 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Agreed, name Bohemia has beed used up till 1918 and should be used again. Same apply for towns that Czechs occupied after Benes' decrees after 1948. Moravians are not Czechs, Silesians are not Czechs. Lands under Bohemian Crown was Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Term "Czech" was never official in the west and for a good reason. Communism and socialism is over lets go back and clean up that Czech mess once and for all. -- IEEE

What you are saying seems to be plausible, but it simply is not true. I have dealt specifically with this topic once. There is a difference between what people were using incorrectly (namely Bohemia as an abreviation for the "Lands of the Bohemian crown") and what the correct term was. (1) Moravia (and of course Silesia) always had a kind of separate administration and status (unlike Slovakia which lost its special status within Hungary in 1108) . If you take any old map you will see Lands of the Bohemian Crown subdivided into Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia (or Teschen, Opole etc.) etc.. Specifically, during Austria-Hungary (ie. before the creation of Czechoslovakia), Bohemia and Moravia were completely separated. - see e.g. [7] from 1200 onwards (2) The term Česko was used as a general geographical term for the "Czech" (whatever that meant) territory (just like Slovensko for the territory inhabited by Slovaks, although there was no political unit) - the ending -sko has always had this general meaning. (3) Of course, linguistically, Česko is the modern form of Čechy, but it is "modern" since the Renaissance and acquired a special meaning soon (which is often the case with alternative names). However Česko was very rare (I know that), because on the one hand the adjective of Česko and Čechy is identical in Czech and on the other hand people simply always specified whether they mean Bohemia / Moravia / Silesia etc. in the past (4) As for "Magyaria", you are right, but the fact that the Magyars did not manage to persuade the world to use the name they desire (they changed Hungaria into "Land of Magyars" in the 1840s in the Hungarian language) is no argument. (5) Most importantly, I know no reputable Czech source (or at least encyclopaedia) that would support your interpretation of the definition of the term "Čechy" as referring to all Lands of the Bohemian crown. Juro 04:55, 22 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I don't know, whether there is any "correct" or "incorrect" name of the country, names are first of all "used" or "unused" and Bohemia is the name employed for describing the Czech state for centuries, while Czechia is a much younger invention. Moravia has been integral part of Bohemia since 11th century (with only short breaks) until today. There was constant pressure from the Empire and Habsburgs to weaken this unity (e.g. Moravian Margravate established by Barbarossa) and it was later somehow successful within ever more centralised Habsburg Empire, that's true. But today's Bohemia/Czechia is a unitary state and to me it is better to use the old, traditional, though a little bit ambiguous term rather than the new, ahistorical and for many people "weird" one. Ad (5) see [8]. -- Qertis 17:16, 22 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Well, but you are from Prague, aren't you? Nobody here, in Moravia, treats Čechy (Bohemia) as an equivalent to Česko. You can speak about unitary state, which is true, but there still remains a historical and cultural separation between the overlording Bohemia and Moravia, Silesia and other, now lost, countries of The Lands of Bohemian Crown. With only a little exagaration, Bohemian representations keep trying to incorporate Moravia for more than a millenium. So, non-Czech readers, please pay attention, whether a native partisan of "Česko" or "Čechy" comes from Bohemia, Moravia or Silesia. Bob 09:27, 1 October 2005 (UTC)

Bohemia is the only valid name accepted in the West. The name was established and endured for over thousand years. This NEW "Czech-whatever" is well, weird. At least for me and people that I know. Bohemia would boost tourism, business, real estate..etc. if once re-established. Even Tomas Masarick used Bohemia in his works. But now it seams to be a little bit too late. Also renaming will never pass due to communism brain washed generation occuping that region now. Look what is user "Juro" is doing. He is deleting other people opinions, just like some crookish communist censor. He knows history from communist historical books and is fighting like mad for his obviously biased truth. --IEEE 20:57, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Of course there is a correct, i.e. used as official, name and other names. I can only repeat what I already said above. The example you are giving is a very very bad one - this was only a proposal of 1915 and has nothing to do with the state which then arose in reality, which was called Czechoslovakia as you know (and not "Bohemian state"). And as you can see, it also includes Slovakia as part of the "Bohemian state", which is a non-sense from any point of view. There were proposals for a Russian state, Slovak state, Polish state and Czecho-Slovakia etc. in this area at that time. So this is really a very bad example ...Juro 19:42, 22 Dec 2004 (UTC)

If "Bohemia" (and "Republic of Bohemia") was proclaimed as the new official name of the Czech Republic, than it would become the correct name as you defined it. Ihe example only shows that also such an educated and experienced politician as Masaryk used the name Bohemia for the whole independent state, even including future Slovakia, certainly without any intention of antagonizing Slovaks or Moravians. I don't know who is responsible for the invention of "Czechoslovakia" (as a name), it is obvious, however, that it came only after the proposals of independce (and that it causes headaches to this very day). -- Qertis 11:26, 23 Dec 2004 (UTC)

(1)We can hardly argue using Ifs. . . (2) Actually, you should have learned in history that this (one-time) use of "Bohemian state" had specific political reasons at that time (that is before Czechoslovak troops helped the Entente in the war) - namely to show that Czechoslovakia will not be another Austria-Hungary, i. e. a country with ethnic problems. (3) Most importantly, however, it is good that you mention Masaryk, because this educated person also said on 31 May 1918 (i. e. 2-3 years later): "There will a free "Česko" (Czechia) and a free "Slovensko" (Slovakia)", which is a good example for the use of Czechia... Juro 23:49, 23 Dec 2004 (UTC)

1) 'Many of' what? My list comes from the top Wikipedian languages which uses an equivalent of 'Czechia' as a name for the Czechia's article. I wonder, where you take your sureness of the languages you write about because I discuss it with native people as most as I can and it is not easy at all.

2) BTW: What is the problem, if an equivalent of 'Czechia' is ambiguous in some languages? 'England' or 'Great Britain' are also very ambiguous in many languages and nobody wants to rename it.

Miraceti 23:44, 21 Dec 2004 (UTC)

1) Corrections are, of course, welcome.

2) It certainly isn't a problem for me. It was, however, perceived as a problem by Czech government, which was one of the two reasons why did they decide to adopt the name Czechia. -- Naive cynic 13:01, 22 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I just thought of something... If a person from Slovakia was Slovakian, then if suddenly people started using Czechia, it could get confusing. Usually, people say a person from the Czech Republic is Czech. So then if Czechia was used, would the person from there be Czechian? Even though the term Slovak makes sense, there are other countries where it doesn't make sense. Or maybe I'm entirely wrong.

A person from Slovakia is correcly called Slovak just like a person from Germany is a German and not a Germanian. There are however other countries were the -ian form is correct. There is complete chaos regarding these things in the English (and many other) languages. It is impossible to derive any rules whatsoever from this. Juro 00:14, 15 Mar 2005 (UTC)

I would just like to add my opinion because I am Czech and I am glad the name is being changed to Czechia. All of this 'Czech Republic' business always seemed strange to me in English like why is our country the only one that is so strangely treated with its name. It really makes it very difficult if you are telling your friends you just went on a trip to Czechia you have to keep using the long name as if the short one doesn't exist, it makes people think that we Czechs would rather be called 'Czech Republic' for some strange reason, and so they keep repeating it to keep from being rude, when really it is the other way around. Also, sometimes it is better for an encyclopedia to use a term even if most people do not use it, just like when you type 'northern lights' into wikipedia you get an article titled 'aurora borealis.'

Everybody having the slightest idea of this, knows that, and if we hadn't the vandal/user "Nopuzzlestranger" alias "Wik" etc. here, the article would have been moved under Czechia long time ago... Juro 21:13, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

Czech Republic is (AFAIK) the most known and currently used term and such should be reflected on Wikipedia. This has nothing with the vandal. Pavel Vozenilek 01:07, 15 August 2005 (UTC)

In most of the (more reliable) texts I've read on the subject, 'Czechia' was said to have been decided as the official shorthand (as in 'Germany') and 'The Czech Republic' was only to be used in official documents. It would therefore be technically correct to refer to the country as Czechia, as Wikipedia does not list countries by their formal names. Whether it is common for people to use the longer form should be irrelevent; it is still 'incorrect' as far as informal usage goes, and this should be reflected on Wikipedia, to heighten awareness if nothing else. --Made2Fade 12:07, 3 September 2005 (UTC)

Wikipedia has a policy of using common names. Correctness of the name is irrelevent. --Wikimol 16:11, 3 September 2005 (UTC)

According to the article, it was the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs that made this decision, in 1993. But the English-language website of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs uses "Czech Republic" (or often just "CR") rather than "Czechia". If they don't take their earlier decision seriously, then why on earth should we? (In any case, what Wikimol says is right.) --Zundark 16:38, 3 September 2005 (UTC)

I am not the debate is as objective as many people make it sound. There are many cases where the "long for", "short form", and common usage names of countires do not converge. France is common usage as well as the short form name, but the translation is "the French Republic". Switzerland is not even close. "United States of America" versus "Ynited States" versus "America" is another example. "Czech Republic" sounds fine and so is "Czech" for the name of its citizens. So much of this argument is based on emotion and a sense of "fairness".Gary Joseph 11:27, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

I would really appreciate that you people at Wikipedia tell me where you came up with the name "Czechia." I believe the Czech hockey team wears the name "Czech Republic" on there jerseys, they do not wear the name "Czechia" or "Cesko." The term "Czechia" is not used in books, movies, magazines, or on sport equipment. The term "Czechia" is nothing but a plague found only on the internet. Using the term "Czechia" would mean that the Czech Republic is a single-nationality state, which it is not, and would create major conflicts among the many Germans/Moravians/Slovaks/Silesians that have historical roots in what is today called the "Czech Republic." The name "Czechia" or "Czech Republic" never existed before 1969 and there is certainly no way that Czechs will be able to rewrite all the history books changing the name "Bohemia" to "Czechia." Mike Jirousek

Would you PLEASE stop lying Mike? We've been through this... twice (see bellow). The Czech Republic existed before 1969. For gods sake. And the Czech team wears those jerseys as the Czech Republic is the official name still. Same as Slovakian coins feature 'Slovenská republika' instead of 'Slovensko'. The ministry merely reccomended the use of Czechia as it's a more convenient term, they didn't wage a blood-thirsty jihad agaist all those who don't use it - I doubt they care if anyone uses it or not. -- Hexagon1 08:06, 19 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Proposal to move (January 2005 - May 2005 discussion)

I favor moving to the name Czechia. The unfamiliarity of some is not a reason to use an incorrect name. This is what redirects are for, right? The current second paragraph is painful to read. It seems disrespectful, as if we were saying, "The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993 announced that the name Czechia is to be used ..., but we don't care." The problem is not the phrasing, but the fact of it. Pekinensis 19:16, 2 Jan 2005 (UTC)

I second it. Miraceti 19:23, 20 Jan 2005 (UTC)

Me too, but this will probably entail an edit war ...Juro 22:28, 20 Jan 2005 (UTC)

OK, we've had a concrete proposal from Pekinensis, seconded by Miraceti and Juro. I add my name to that. Since the proposal was made, three months have passed, and no-one has objected. To avoid a possible edit war I will do nothing for another couple of days, but if there is no objection posted here by the weekend, I will move this article to "Czechia". It is none of our business as non-Czechs to argue whether it is a good name or not, and therefore most of the above discussion is irrelevant. The issue is very simple: it is patronising to call any nation or group by a different name from the one they want. They want it, we do it, that's how respect for other cultures works. --Doric Loon 07:40, 5 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Unfortunately, you will not be able to put this over. Juro 15:55, 5 Apr 2005 (UTC)

You mean it would be reverted? I won't do it if there is not a majority here. If there is, I hope the minority will respect that.--Doric Loon 09:10, 6 Apr 2005 (UTC)

The problem is that I do not know whether they are a majority, but there are just certain people here who always revert any change towards "Czechia", because "they" do not use it...Maybe you should just try to move the page, let's see what happens, but I am quite sure it will be reverted...Juro 19:06, 6 Apr 2005 (UTC)

The English name is Czech Republic, not Czechia. That's absolutely self-evident. Just search for the two terms in Google News. 6,620 to 12. NoPuzzleStranger 09:56, 5 Apr 2005 (UTC)

The point is that the English name is both Czech Republic and Czechia, but people do not know that and hence are using Czech Republic only. Most of the 6000 occurencies are a result of a huge and quite obvious error [because there is no reason for not using Czechia - a form that is correct, desired, does not hurt anybody and is short], that the Wikipedia has been supporting here for years, because its policy is basically to use anything having a majority in Google, although Google is a very bad reference, usually propagating popular mistakes. Juro 15:55, 5 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Well, I'm a native English speaker and I use it, therefore it is AN English form.--Doric Loon 09:16, 6 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Hi, I have just moved the page. It will need a lot of work to change everything but let's see what will happen after the first step. Miraceti 11:24, 7 May 2005 (UTC) To add my comments: I am English and I have looked for a long time for a better description than Czech Republic. . Czechia is one the requested by the Czech Government, there is nothing awkward about it (we coped with "Czechoslovalia" for 70 years!). My Czech friends seem to approve.Wikepedia should certainly reflect the views of the official bodies of a nation as to how it is described. Placid

[edit] Your Heading Here

In regards to some people considoring Czech and Czechoslavkian to be the same id like to bring up the issue of lineage. Is Czech Rep. or Slavakia the former Czechoslavkia that was created after WWI and as a result of the Great War. Its a East Germany meets West Germany situation because some would ask if it was East Germany that was formally Prussia and rouge or was it West Germany that was forced to sign the Treaty of Versaillies. Can Slovakia list its date of independence as 1918? Both countries cant have the heritage and history. Because Nazi Germany only annexed the Czech part of Czechoslavakia and left the remainder that means that Czechoslakia was still Czech and Slovak because half remained to carry on the link between present and past. Slavakia lost WW II but did it independently so perhaps Wikipedia should list them as having Czechoslakia as their precurcor alone. Vital component 4:22 am May 3rd

---

I'd just removed this remark:

(the remainder of a once larger minority)

from demography. During and after WWII not only Bohemian Germans were expelled, but also most of Bohemian Jews and many Roma murdered in extermination camps, part of Hungarian population mostly of Slovakia was exchanged with Hungary and other things happened. I dont see other reason for that remark other than promoting German expellees agenda. Wikimol 22:12, 14 May 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Religions

Does anyone know a source for the religion statistics (Roman Catholic 27%, Protestant 1%, Czechoslovak Hussites 1%, atheists 59%, the remainder uncertain)? The CIA Factbook gives different numbers (Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Orthodox 3%, other 13.4%, atheist 39.8%), which sound more reasonable to me. --152.66.212.151 16:52, 20 Sep 2004 (UTC)

The 2001 census, see [9]. Your numbers appear to come from the 1991 census (Czech only PDF: [10] ) though note that the 13% "other" is actually Not Identified, i. e. undeclared, and the Orthodox number seems still too high. 1991 was comparatively shortly after the fall of Communism and religion had a lot of sympathies so people declared for it it even without attending church regularly etc.; however, since then especially the Catholic church fell out of popular favour. The newer numbers are rather closer to the "true state" - we're a very atheist country. --Malyctenar 11:27, 21 Sep 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Improvement drive

The article on Franz Kafka has been listed to be improved on Wikipedia: This week's improvement drive. Add your vote there if you want to support the article.--Fenice 06:17, 4 August 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Culture\Food

I came to this article to find out what the 'not-to-miss' foods are. Every country has a particular 'master dish' (apart, of course from my native England). Unfortunately, I'm only going for a long weekend, but I'll do as much 'research' as I can, and maybe start a 'cuisine' stub :-) ChrisRed 08:27, 30 September 2005 (UTC)

Chris, even England has its "master dishes". Ask the many thousands of tourists who search out Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, Fish and Chips or Lancashire Hotpot (to name just three). Skinsmoke 00:38, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

You need to wait since someone translates the article from Czech Wiki [11]. As an appetizer think of beer and "heavy" food originally made for manually hard working people. Pavel Vozenilek 18:31, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Czech Republic's incorrect formation and independence

The current information stating that the Czech Republic was formed in the 9th century is incorrect and nothing more than political propaganda, an effort to create a history for the Czech Republic, a multi-national (German, Czech, Silesian, Slovak, Moravian, Jewish) state which never existed before 1993. If there really was a "Czech Republic Kingdom" during the 9th century, I would like you to point out a map from the 9th century that had the "Czech Republic" on it. The name "Czech," replacing Bohemian, which Bohemia was a German-speaking state until the 17th century, can be found in writtings from no later than the 18th century. Before the 18th century, the area of today's Czech Republic was mostly German-speaking (3 million Sudeten Germans from Bohemia were expelled by the Czech government after WWII) and was usually referred to as Bohemia, other times was mentioned as a part of Austria, Silesia, Moravia, or Slovakia (the current region in SE Czech Republic called "Moravian Slovakia" is evidence of this). The statement that the Czech Republic "regained" its "independence" on October 28, 1918 is inaccurate as well because that was the date of the formation of the Czecho-Slovak Republic (called incorrectly Czechoslovakia for short in the English language). The Czecho-Slovak Republic was NOT an independent Czech state (notice that the name was "Czecho-Slovakia") but a union among the Slovak and Czech states, meaning Czechs were NOT independent. The only time in history that the Czech Republic was declared independent was on January 1, 1993. Mike Jirousek

If you actually did your homework, you'd realise that the "Lands of the Czech Crown" (Země koruny České) appear on many maps around the middle of the last millenia, and that the Czech lands had not spoken German until the Czech lands became a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and even then Czech remained the language spoken by most communities. I also don't see how 3 out of 12 million is a majority. Also the statement that the Czech Republic regained its independence on October 28, 1918 is completely accurate as it became independent again, after being a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Your claim the Czech Republic has no history is contradicted by the fact I can trace my family line to the village of Mikulčice which was the capital of the Great Moravian Empire, and as Moravia is a part of Czech Republic, this is another example of Czech history.In your statement you reffer to a place called Moravian Slovakia. The region "Moravian Slovakia" is informally called so due to it's proximity to Slovakia, and the name didn't catch on usage until the mid-1800s. You are obviously under the impression that the Czech Republic and Bohemia are separate entities. No, Bohemia is a predecessor and now the main part of the latter. -- Hexagon1 11:14, 13 October 2005 (UTC)

The fact, that present-day English name of this country ("Czech Republic") differs from its traditional and officially obsolete one ("Bohemia") doesn't make this country the youngest in Europe. Its Czech/Bohemian name ("Čechy" or "Česko") is the same from its very beginning in the 9th century, which should be enough for you to realize that your original hypothesis is completely wrong. Qertis 12:37, 13 October 2005 (UTC)

Jirousek is a fool, and clearly is pushing some weird nationalist agenda of some sort (I can't figure out what nationalist agenda, though). I will add that the Czech Republic quite clearly has exactly the same boundaries as the "Lands of the Bohemian Crown" which remained in Habsburg control after 1742. In that sense, it is quite an old political entity, dating back to the high middle ages. That said, I will take issue with a few points that Hexagon makes - 1) the "Austro-Hungarian Empire" did not exist until 1867. There were certainly Germans in Bohemia and Austrian Silesia before that. If what is meant is that there were not Germans until the territory came under Habsburg control in the 16th century, I don't think this is true either. My understanding is that the Germans began settling the "Sudetenland" in the later middle ages - under the later Premyslids, or perhaps under the Luxembourg kings. There was, of course, further Germanization after the Thirty Years War in the 17th century. 2) While I think that asserting continuity between the Czech Republic and the Bohemian Crown is perfectly appropriate, I do not think that we should assert continuity back to Great Moravia, which is separated from the foundation of the Czech state by some years. john k 14:50, 20 October 2005 (UTC)

If the Kingdom of Bohemia really belonged to Czechs, then why did you Czechs change the name of your country from Bohemia to "Czech Republic." If Bohemia was Czech, then why does the name come from the German tongue? Understand that I am openminded to these, but so far there is not the slightest fact that proves your opinion is accurate. It you can show me for example some really old document that has the word "Czech" or any translation of it (Cesi, Cesko, etc.), I will re-think it.

We didn't change the name, Bohemia has, and is known in Czech as 'Čechy', the same word used for Czech Republic as a whole. And the word Bohemia comes from the name of a Celtic tribe, the Boii who were the first inhabitants of CR. If I show ANY old document it will have the word Czech or translations. -- Hexagon1 14:50, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Exactly, difference between Czech and Bohemian exist only in english language. In czech (a much more complicated language) they are the same. I can show you tons of documents that has word "Cechove" in it, literally translated as "Czechs" ! I completely agree with Hexagon. Jirousek is wrong on many levels. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 62.77.100.41 (talk • contribs) 10:20, 22 October 2006 (UTC).

---

But CZECHS as a Nation starts somewhere around 400 AC

I'm sorry, but what does that have to do with anything? Are you trying to say that the Bohemian lands don't 'belong' to the Czechs? Politically they do. End of story. And there is no other way that land can 'belong' to a nation then politically. In all other ways the only thing that matters is who inhabits the land and it's inhabited by mostly Czechs. And start signing your posts, as no-one will take you seriously. -- Hexagon1 04:41, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] The "Czech Lands"

I am not aware of any map in English, French or German, that would have ever used the term "Czech Lands" or "Czechia" or "Czech Kingdom" before 1918. Even Masaryk himself used "Bohemia" or "Bohéme" or "Böhmen" in his English, French and German correspondence. The reason why the term was used in the Czech language before 1918 is simply due to the reason that the Czech translation for Bohemia is "Chechy". During sport events supporters of the Czech Republic shout "Cechy, Cechy" to this day.

Hence the correct terms from a historical point of view, if the current Czech name is taken as the basis, would be "Bohemia" in English, Bohéme in French and Böhmen in German.

However after 1918 Czechoslovakia wanted to differentiate itself from its historic predecessor "Bohemia" by creating a linguistic nation state similar to Germany, Russia or Hungary, which in my opinion was a major mistake and a main reason why the country broke apart in 1938 as it excluded Germans, Hungarians and Poles (40% of the population in total). In 1918 Masaryk and Benes suddenly started to promote and introduce the name "Czechoslovakia" into the English language. Hence the multilingual Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia were suddenly to become a "monolingual state of the Czechs". After 1918 the terms Tschechei was introduced in German.

Again, czech lands and bohemia are the same. The difference between "Czech" and "Bohemian" exists only in english. The reason why Masaryk used "Bohemia" is probably because the word Bohemia was better known. Czechoslovakia never wanted to differentiate itself from it's historical predecessor of Bohemia, however it is important to note that Bohemia was predecessor only partially - only of the czech part. --62.77.100.41 10:20, 22 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Tschechei

The name "Tschechei" has nothing to do with Hitler and Nazism what so ever. It is also in no way derogative. It appeared first in 1918 after Czechoslovakia was formed. In fact only left wingers used it initially as the political right in Germany and Austria rejected the new state. However the very fact that it was used in the German language it was later rejected by the Czechs and I believe that this is the only reason why Czechia is now rejected as a state name and "Czech Republic" used instead. While the German language is more flexible, and the term "Tschechei" could be changed to "Tschechien" to fulfill Czech wishes not to use "Tschechei", English does not provide the same option, hence "Czechia" is still rejected.

All in all we are dealing with the typical problem in the Czech Republic: Teh society is still unable to cope with it's partly German past, and it's historic (forced) interconnection with the German cultural area.

No, this is completely wrong. The term Tschechei and "Resttschechei" was used by Hitler and the Nazis. (It was by coincidence, yes, but that is irrelevant, because it just was used by them.) That's why it is considered derogatory (being derogotary has something to do with emotions). The term Tschechien, however, is an older (actually the original) alternative and was not used din the 1930s and by Hitler that's why it was chosen by German linguists in 1992 after consulations with Czechs. Juro 07:15, 6 May 2006 (UTC)

Hitler simply used this term as it was the German name of a part of Czechoslovakia and commonly used in Germany and Austria at the time. in fact it still is used in popular language. It is not derogatory at all.

[edit] Besides on Wikipedia, the name "czechia" doesn't exist

If the Kingdom of Bohemia really belonged to Czechs, then why did you Czechs change the name of your country from Bohemia to "Czech Republic." If Bohemia was Czech, then why does the name come from the German tongue? Understand that I am openminded to these, but so far there is not the slightest fact that proves your opinion is accurate. It you can show me for example some really old document that has the word "Czech" or any translation of it (Cesi, Cesko, etc.), I will re-think it. The name "Czechia" doesn't exist on the jerseys of Czech hockey teams, soccer teams, etc... In fact, using the name "Czechia" would be oppressive and arrogant for the millions of non-Czechs (Germans, Moravians, Slovaks, and Silesians) that live in what has been called for the last 12 years the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic has no flag, coat-of-arms, history, and name for the territory it occupies.

• The flag, before 1993, was the flag of Czecho-Slovakia. The blue color on the flag represents Slovakia, and is therefore oppressive and imperialistic. The Czech Republic has no right to use the flag of another country.

• The coat-of-arms of the Czech Republic never existed before 1993. It consists of the coat-of-arms of many different (non-Czech inhabited) territories such as Silesia, which is a 1400 year old state that was divided between Bohemia and Poland. It also consists of the coat-of-arms of Moravia, a territory which belongs to Slovakia (www.slovakia.org).

• The name "Czech Republic" was used for the first time in history in 1969 and was accepted on January 1, 1993. There were territories located on the present-day Czech Republic, but they were not Czech! Naming the Frankish Empire a "czech" state would be like naming the Roman Empire a "hungarian" state. Just because the Frankish Empire included parts of today's Czech Republic, doesn't mean that the Frankish Empire belongs to Czech history. The word "Czech," being found in writings no earlier than the 18th century, can not be applied to states that existed on the territory of present-day Czech Republic before the 18th century, such as Bohemia.

• As it is known, there is no name for the territory that the Czech Republic occupies. The name "Czechia" doesn't exist. The Czech Republic, being a multi-national state, consists of Bohemia (occupied by Czech, Germans, and Jews), Moravia (occupied by Slovaks and Moravians), Sudetenland (80% occupied by Germans), and Silesia (occupied by Silesians, Poles, and Czechs).

Mike Jirousek

It's a nonsense at all! Zanatic 20:46, 10 October 2005 (UTC)

I agree with Mike. As long as the Czech Republic itself doesn't use the name "Czechia" why should we? This Wikipedai encyclopedia is not to promote unaccepted ideas. Making an article called "Czechia" would be like allowing someone to make an article called "Czech Republic is the third world country of Europe." $$$=^^&^

Your idiotic remarks show no familiarity with Czech history what-so-ever. I will counter your arguments in point-form, which you used.

• The blue part represented Slovakia in the Czechoslovakian flag, it is now used to represent the Czech part of Silesia.

• And the Australian coat-of-arms hadn't existed until 1901, yet Australia has 40,000 years of history before that. Your point is? By the way, Bohemia is a part of the Czech Republic, and as Silesia is divided between Poland and Bohemia, it's in the Czech Republic. Additionaly, Moravia is not and never has been a part of Slovakia, read my reply to your post "Czech Republic's incorrect formation and independence".

• I have three words for that. Země Koruny České (Lands of the Czech Crown). For more details, I will reffer you once again to my reply to your "Czech Republic's incorrect formation and independence".

• Are you also saying that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland actually has no-name? It is, afterall just a grouping of England, Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland... Are you also suggesting the term Czechia just popped into the heads of thousands of people? (I'm not saying it's popular, just that it does exist), oh and what is your obsession with classing Moravia into Slovakia? They are geographically close, but Moravia is definitely in the Czech Republic (my mum's from Moravia, and she'd rather class herself as an eskymo then a Slovakian) +Hexagon1 ^(t) 14:15, 20 October 2005 (UTC)

Is Jirousek really saying that Moravia is part of Slovakia? I think he is to be ignored. As to the title of this section, it is quite clear that the name "Czechia" does exist outside wikipedia. That does not change the fact that it is considerably less frequently used than "Czech Republic," though. john k 14:53, 20 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Czechia/Czechy versus Czech Republic

I have only skimmed superficially the debate and vote above, but I'm thinking that if the government is really adament about (re-)introducing the name Czechia or Czechy as a short-hand alternative for Czech Republic, then it ought to be given due prominence above the Country Infobox. Compare Russia/Russian Federation and Portugal/Portuguese Republic and Mexico/United Mexican States and Greece/Hellene Republic. I suppose there are in fact a handful of countries that English speakers will routinely refer to as "[adjective] Republic", either for reasons of disambiguity or for reasons of political correctness (such as Dominican Republic, Central African Republic, Republic of Ireland and Democratic Republic of the Congo). //Big Adamsky 02:39, 10 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Demographics?

I've removed this paragraph. It doesn't say anything about Demographics.

In 2005 Czech Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek announced an initiative to publicise and formerly recognise the deeds of Sudeten German Anti-Nazis, including members of the German minority. Although the move was received positively by most Sudeten German expelees and the German minority, there has been criticism that the initiative is limited to Anti-Nazis who actively fought for the Czechoslovak state, but not Anti-Nazis in general. The German minority in particular also expected some financial compensation for their mistreatment after the War.

Maybe there should be special section about Sudeten German issues, so people won't write these things everywhere.

I also rearranged some other sentences and paragraphs about bilingual signs and replaces some words with less strong meaning. "are forced to" and "fears repercussions" sounds like Czech Republic is police state which actively intimidates its citizens. Podlesh 09:29, 30 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Czechia again

The country is sometimes refered to as Czechia. Qero has taken this line out five times now. That will not bring us anywhere. Please discuss here before changing again. Piet 15:45, 23 February 2006 (UTC)

Releated aricle: http://zpravy.idnes.cz/domaci.asp?r=domaci&c=A060215_202831_domaci_ad --CHeese 16:04, 23 February 2006 (UTC)

This has been discussed previously. Just check Google News to see what serious sources use. I get 13,400 hits for "Czech Republic" and 9 for "Czechia". Obviously "sometimes" is an overstatement here. And one of those 9 hits is an article titled "Czech Republic still lacks one-word name in English" [12]. Qero 17:03, 23 February 2006 (UTC)

It is a nonsence when somebody is claiming the word Czechia is not official. Indeed, the Czech government has forgotten to announce a short name to a Carthographic council of the United Nations, so that this council had to fill it by the long name Czech republic, where it is up to now. But: in 1993 and once again in 1998 the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a memorandum to all embassies, that CZECHIA should be used as a equivalent. They do so by themselves. See e.g. here. -jkb- 14:11, 3 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Bohemia again

From the ancient times, throught the middle ages the name was Bohemia. In 1918 they renamed one of the most regarded and admired countries in the world. In about six decades that country went from first world to third world status. My family emigrated Bohemia before the WW2, we fled Europe from the Nazis, but also because we felt that out homeland was disgraced. The main indication of a cloudy future was the real estate prices drop in 1918 when Czechs declared independence. They removed the very name that connected them with their past, they trashed the name of kingdom of old, the name of the land our fathers came from, the name that can be traced back for thousand years (!)

So called "Czech-whatever" is now one of the poorest nations in Europe, devastated by mostly self-inflicted causes like socialism, communism and exiled people. Whole nations were expelled from their mother land others fled from the oppresive regime. Communities of mostly germanic and jewish people were forced to leave their homes, estates and towns. Czechs then renamed most of the acquired towns, woods, lakes and even mountains giving them a new names, the names we cant even pronounce. Proud towns of old, names echoing centuries back to middle ages like Budweis were disgraced with tags like "Ceske Budejovice" etc.

Many Czechs today only gaze at the glamorous historic chateaus that can be seen all over the country. Prime example of splendour of nobility and richness once present in Bohemia. This is another example of how bad decisition may damage the whole nation/country.

Someone from IP address 84.42.158.159 (Czech Republic IP) deleted this post. I expect another attempts to remove this article, because it represents general point of view of Germanic people (not Czech people) that lived in Bohemia (Sudeten mostly) whose property was confiscated by Czechs under the Benes' ruling. The hot topic of recent Czech talks with European Union. It also represents similar fate of many Jews that lived in Bohemia before WW2, families of whose were killed in concretation camps by Nazis, their children survived the war but were never allowed to see their homes again (because their homes were confiscated or squaterred by Czechs). --IEEE

Oh, get a life. Seriosuly. Have you noticed that the government who seized the property was being infiltrated by communists? And what country DIDN'T pass similar decrees after ww2? The borders of what is today the Czech Republic have existed for hunderds of years, have a look a the administrative divisions of Austria-Hungary. Just because lots of Germanic people settled there doesn't make it theirs. And stop trying to push through strange and stupid agendas, this isn't LiveJournal (here's a thought, go whinge there), we are trying to write an encyclopaedia here. +Hexagon1 (talk) 15:36, 12 April 2006 (UTC)

Thank you kindly for your instant police work and insults. European Union has been reluctant to support those Benes' decrees and for a good reason. Majority of Czechs today don't understand why is that. General Czech thinking is that those evil Germanic people were occupying them so they have a right to seize and rename everything within Bohemia's borders. And yes, Bohemia borders have existed for hunderds of years, but not "Czech Republic" borders. There was always multinational status of Bohemia where not only Czechs lived and that is another reason for this nacionalistic new title "Czech Republic" be turned down. Of course, from the point of view of an Australian things may look black and white, but please educate youself more on the topic or at least try not so blindly support Czech claims which are flawed. Look at historic books and maps to view how many cities in South Bohemia and other regions were originated by Germanic people and were under their influence ever since. Have a nice day. --IEEE

Sorry about me going off a bit, I was a bit frustrated. Germany's government has itself stated it will not pursue the claims of Sudeten Germans who lost property after World War 2. (I remember reading that somewhere) The relocation plan was a plan concived by the victors of World War 2, not the Czechs. Churchill himself supported the relocations (until it was time to oppose and blame the relocations on the Soviets - it's all in here), it was the Potsdam participants who wanted the relocations to prevent any similar war from ever happening. And they didn't rename everything, but the Czech names which existed for hundreds of years came into common usage, as Czech was once more the official language of the region. In fact, the borders of the Czech Republic have existed since at least before the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this map outlines the borders of Böhmen, Mähren and Schlesien almost identical to the borders of today's Czech Republic. The original ČSR was just a federation of Bohemia, Moravia (incl Silesia), Slovakia and Subcarpathian Rus, the Soviets "borrowed" the S.C. Rus, and the Slovak Republic came into being on the territory of Slovakia, and the Czech Republic came into being as a grouping of everyone else. Later the Czechs and Slovaks broke it off, that's how today's CR and SR came to be. The Sudenten regions, were however located in Bohemia, a Czech land. The Germanic people might have inhabited the Czech land, but it remained the land of Bohemia, in Czech 'Čechy', the land of the Czechs, and the WW2 victors kicked them all out. Whinging about it today is not going to achieve anything, especially if the German government itself doesn't want to do anything about it. +Hexagon1 (talk) 05:06, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Czechia

If the government have decided that the name Czechia should be used most of the time, I think it should briefly be mentioned in the introduction even if it hasn't caught on. I'll do accordingly unless I can get an explaination of why the government encouraged name shouldn't be mentioned in the introduction. I suggest we add something like this line to the introduction "The Czech government have encouraged the use of the name Czechia for all informal situations but this has not caught on in English usage.". Then we can leave the full explaination later on in the article. Nil Einne 17:24, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

in 8st century Bohemia

in 9st century Bohemia

in 10st century Bohemia

in 11st century Bohemia

in 12st century Bohemia

in 13st century Bohemia

in 14st century Bohemia

in 15st century Bohemia

in 16st century Bohemia

in 17st century Bohemia

in 18st century Bohemia

in 19st century Bohemia

to 1918 Bohemia

1918-1940 Czechoslovakia (Jews and Czech nationalists takeover)

1940-1944 Protectorate of Bohemia & Moravia

1945-1993 Czechoslovakia (Germans silenced or expelled under Benes' decrees ruling)

1993-2006 Czech rep. Slovakia

Current socialist/Czech nationalist goverment under "Jiri Paroubek" is the same labourers goverment type who decided removal of Bohemia in 1918 (strongly opposed by Jews and Germanic citizens), socialists former labourers obviously didnt know anything about history, naming conventions, latin and so forth, its one big shame. At least Wikipedia community should not support this nacionalistic country renaming habbits proposed by people that continuously degrade and undermine former Bohemian multi-ethnic status. Czech nationalists always wanted to silence Germans, Jews a other nations living in Bohemia. Atlanticus 04:46, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

And now in the Czech language:

since the time of the Celtic Boii (Bójové) and the Germans (not "Deutsche"!!!!!) to 5th/6th century -> Bohemia (no Czechs there)

9th century -> a part of Velká Morava (Grand Moravia) -> No Germans (Deutsche), no Jews there

10th century -> founding of the Czech statehood, the Bohemian land settled only by Czechs and called Čechy (Czechia)

11th century -> Čechy, for the first time becomes a kingdom

12th century -> Čechy, since 1198 definitely becomes a kingdom (no Germans there!)

13th century -> Čechy, beginning of the German immigration (founding of the towns and settling the border area, which is already partly settled by the Czechs!!!)

14th century -> Čechy

15th century -> Čechy

16th century -> Čechy, since 1526 Čechy, Morava & Slezsko belong to the Austrian crown

17th century -> Čechy, after 1620 the hardest germanization of the Slavonic countries Czechia (Bohemia) and Moravia

18th century -> Čechy

19th century -> Čechy

20th century -> up to 1918/19 the Království české (Czech Kingdom)

1918 - 1938: Czechoslovakia -> Czechia (Bohemia) + Moravia + Moravian Silesia + Slovakia (Uplands) + Ruthenia

1939 - 1945: Protektorát Čechy a Morava (Protectorate Czechia and Moravia)

1945 - 1992: Czechoslovakia without Ruthenia

since 1993: Česká republika (Czech Republic), Čechy + Morava + Moravské Slezsko (Czechia/Bohemia + Moravia + part of Silesia)

Thus Czechia ≠ Czech Republic, because Czechia = Bohemia. Bohemia is not being used in the Czech language. Does anyone want to tell me, we have no history????? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by LJM (talk • contribs) 17:59, 21 November 2006 (UTC).

Just a remark for possible readers: Both the name list and every second word from the previous contribution are completely wrong. Juro 01:37, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Just a remark for possible readers: User Juro acts like Czech nationalist, see his previous posts. Atlanticus 22:26, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Ummm.... Atlanticus, are you insane? Czech nationalism is very different from Czech revisionism, something not practiced. Czech nationalism take-over? WTF? Jews and Germans silenced/expelled? I don't know what you're going on about jews, but a similar anti-German legislation was enacted almost everywhere in Europe after WW2. And what are you talking about 'czech nationalist government'? Do you expect it to be Romanian nationalist? Or are you just drunk? Removal of Bohemia? Huh? I don't know what the hell you are on about in the rest of your post. +Hexagon1 (talk) 06:17, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

Ummm... Czechs renamed country that was for thousand years called Bohemia. There was no referendum about that. Czechs dont want you to know about many things of their cloudy past after 1945. That is why European Union is reluctant to fully integrate Czechs as they caused such a harm to Germanic people under the Benes' rule back in 1948. Czechs stole much of the lands from Sudeten Germans and Jews (yes Jews, many of wich were exiled 'cos of Nazi Germany) after 1945, do not mentioning the renaming of so many ancient places and towns. Ask any Sudenten German and they will tell you about. Or look at any map from 10 to 20 century, today and compare. Atlanticus 09:09, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

No, in Czech Bohemia has always been 'Čechy'. Read my responces to people bellow and above on this page, they answer the rest of your post as well. And please sign using '~~~~', it produces a sig that includes the time and date, like this: +Hexagon1 (talk) 06:02, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

I'm opposed to Czechia being used to refer to the Czech Republic in Wikipedia, for the simple reason that it's not the official name and no such short form is used in the Czech Republic. A short form IS used in German, I believe, and that may be relevant to the German Wikipedia but is it relevant to the English one? People here are talking about a decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (can someone provide a URL please?) but that Ministry doesn't have the authority to determine the country's official name which -- and I don't think this is in dispute -- is "the Czech Republic" after all. Is it really that onerous to type an extra two words? --Smithfarm 11:24, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

Such a short form is used in CR, and it's 'Česko', the Czech language equivalent of Czechia, as I noted at Talk:Eurotel. And I'd like the URL too. Google is no help in this department, and I'm too lazy to email them. +Hexagon1 (talk) 11:44, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

And, as I replied there, it's use in the Czech Republic is limited to colloquial situations (such as TV Nova, where they use it to "jazz up" otherwise drab material). I've NEVER seen it used in anything even remotely resembling an official context. Anyway, the Česko debate is somewhat removed from the present one (as Arwel notes below), which is whether Czechia has any legitimacy in the English language. There I'd agree with Arwel: "Czechia" is a non-entity. --Smithfarm 16:41, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "Dismemberment" ?

Is the dissolution of Czech/Slovakia best referred to as "dismemberment", as in the country infobox? 68.39.174.238 23:39, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Obviously "dismemberment" is inappropriate and POV. There are other problems with that info box, too. It shouldn't say that the Czech Republic was formed in the 9th century. That isn't true. It was formed on 1 January 1993 by an Act of Parliament. --Smithfarm 11:29, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] An idea - why not go by postage stamps?

An idea just occurred to me for a quick and dirty (and effective) way to determine whether to use the long or short form of a country's name on Wikipedia. Why not just go by whatever name the country uses on its postage stamps? You'd think if 'Česko' was such a good abbreviation they'd use it on stamps, where there is so little space. But they don't! I wonder why? --Smithfarm 13:42, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

I can repeat it for the 100th time, why not: CZECHIA is the fully official short form for Czech Republic, it is explicitely written (in its English form) in Czech LAWS and STANDARDS, it is explicitly prescribed by Czech authorities, and is contained in UN lists (although they seem not to be on the web yet). The only reason not to use it is incredible ignorance peculiar to many people from English-speaking countries. And this ridiculous completely irrational ignorance, which people try to justify here by anything that comes to their minds, goes so far that the Czech themselves frequently avoid the short form (after all, the long form is ALSO correct) for the simple reason that nobody has told to most English-speakers (because unlike for other languages there is no true language regulator for English) that it is a fully correct, desired, historical and logical name of the Czech Republic. And as for the infobox: the Czech Republic arose in 1993, but Czechia arose in the 9th century. That's the difference. And it is the same difference like between France vs. French Republic vs. French Empire. Juro 15:08, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

Dobry den Juro. I've been living here in the Czech Republic for 15 years now and I make my living from my knowledge of the Czech language. If you take a look at the Czech Wikipedia, you will see that a similar debate is raging there. Are all those Czechs that oppose Česko just ignorant? Can you cite the law that says Česko is the official name? Your rage aside, what do you think of my postage stamp idea? --Smithfarm 15:39, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

I'm amazed that this argument is still going on here after two years. As it happens, I like the current state of the article with the description of the origin of the term "Czechia" in a subsidiary section. However, Juro, you must realise that English language dictionaries are descriptivist, not prescriptivist - they describe the English language as it is used, they do not prescribe how it should be used. There is no central authority of English usage like the Academie Francaise for French, and no-one can demand that a particular word be used; what the Czech authorities would like to be used is completely irrelevant, what counts is what the great majority of English speakers use, and that is not "Czechia". -- Arwel (talk) 16:29, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

To both, I have discussed the same thing here at least five times. So do not consider this an excuse, but I am not going to do anything for this anymore. Those who speak Czech, will find enough information even on the web and in the Senate debate. I just had to point out that the name IS official. It is both in the big Czech language dictionary from the 1970s(?), in the state standard for names to be used in foreign languages and in the UN lists (although someone has indicated to me here that the list on the web does not contain it) etc. etc. Also, I do not know in which Czechia you have been, because the Czech word Česko is being used regularly by everybody know (in TV, newspapers, everywhere). Even people who were strong opponents finally changed their mind (even from the Czech wikipedia). Secondly, you have to distinguish whether you want to argue that name is not official (which is definitely not the case as mentioned above) or that it is not used. As for the second this is "professional terminology" and has nothing to do with usage (unless there is another correct short-form for Czechia, but that is not the case). Do you thing people know say the names of parts of some special device, unless someone explicitely says them that its name is XY?? They don't. And as an encyclopaedia (and not a frequency dictionary) it is our "obligation" to provide correct information whatever 95% of people think. And those 95% people think that the Czech Republic has no official short name and that is just wrong. And the stamps, just like many other things, use the long form because they were designed in 1992/1993 when it was not clear yet whether the final short name would be the historical word Czechia or some new creation. And as I mentioned above, ironically, the Czechs themselves avoid the correct word Czechia, because nobody, including the wikipedia, (except few English encyclopaedias) is able just to tell the general Americans unambigously that "Czechia" is correct. Nothing more, no propaganda or things like that, is necessary. The day this happens, the word will be used immediately, because it is short, exact, systematic and clear. Czech politicians and authorities have totally underestimated the current ever increasing chaos in the English language, although all linguists warned them in the 1990s, and now that they have grasped the problem, the disaster is already here. Juro 04:48, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

Juro, you don't have to repeat anything. What I'm interested in is what you haven't said. First, you still haven't cited the number of the law that makes Česko official (don't worry, I will be able to look it up and read it), and you still haven't said what you think of my postage stamp idea. If Česko is "short, exact, systematic and clear", why isn't it on the country's stamps? --Smithfarm 07:01, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

Read what I have said above, the answers are there. And as for the number of the standard (also used by the UN), look it up for yourself, I will not invest any further second into this, since there are some users (the banned user NoPuzzleStranger alias currently Oruj) here that will revert anything. Juro 01:27, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

"Czechia" is ridiculous, funny, stupid and insulting name, but if you deface and rename historic region that has well established name for thousand of years then you surely do not deserve any better. --IEEE

Czechia isn't the official name, it's merely the recommended short-form. Same as American stamps bear the initials of the full name, not "the States" or "Estados Unidos", or even "United States", and coins of Slovakia contain the text "Slovenská Republika". I think Czechs should use Česko on their stamps too, but it's NOT the official short-form, just a recommended short-hand, unlike "Slovensko" +Hexagon1 (talk) 11:01, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

No Hexagon, READ what I have written above, there is no other possibility how to make a word more official - it is contained both in linguistic dictionaries, and in the prescribed geographical terminology (standards) and was recommended by the parliament and was explicitely sent TWICE to foreign ambassies and has been entered into UN lists. Actually, there is hardly any other Czech word that is more official than this one. The only thing that could be done more is to impose embargos on countries that do not use the short-form :)). So do not confuse your personal impressions and feelings with the reality...And as for "recommended" - if you refer to the letter to ambassies - can you imagine a letter from a country to another country saying "We order you to use the following short-form...."? - I can't. Juro 01:27, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

Jeez luise, I've got to stop agreeing with people, they always bite me in the ass. Well how come Belarus was successful, and Czechia wasn't then? And I'd like to see the documents stating that, please. Any official Czech letters/laws/whatever stating that Czechia should be preffered. +Hexagon1 (talk) 06:48, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

The answer is firstly, the case of any particular is country is specific, secondly, Belarus started a kind of name "jihad", and the jihad was successful. Most importantly, I have to repeat it for the nth time: Czech Republic is definitely ALSO correct, but in different contexts. In other words in most cases you can never say to someone using "Czech Republic": Oh no, this name is wrong. The Belarussians however consider the other (SHORT and LONG) forms derogatory and can always say (and they do): White Russia etc. is just plainly wrong. And finally, the Czechs are a quite modern nation and they mostly just did not care whether others use the long form or short form...and this discussion shows the result of such "not caring".Juro 01:49, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

To Juro: sorry for overlooking what you said about stamps. Now that I've read it though, I can't believe my eyes! The Czech Republic comes out with new stamp designs all the time! But none that say Česko. Juro: do you live in the Czech Republic? --Smithfarm 15:40, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

Stamps are irrelevant, Smithfarm. But as I already mentioned, the name on stamps was set at a time, when it was more sure to use the form Czech Republic, and it has not been changed since. And names on stamps do not use to be changed, if there is not a total renaming (because people create series etc.). Otherwise: No comment. Juro 01:49, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Proposed Policy about the CR/Czechia issue

Live and let live. For now, CR will be kept here. When you see CR on Wikipedia you don't change it to Czechia and vice-versa. When editing, just leave what-ever the article uses. +Hexagon1 (talk) 11:18, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

No thanks. "Czechia" is not an English word (it's not in actual use, it's in no English dictionary, and the Czech government has no authority to create new English words) so there will be no "live and let live". Oruj 13:26, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

What's with the hostility? You come up with a better compomise then. The Czechia-supporters won't just disappear because you want them to. And the Czech government has every right to create English words, just like you or me, as there is no official body controlling the language. Whether they catch on is another matter. If no-one's allowed to create or modify English words, how did it evolve from Old English to today's English then? Magical lepricons of DOOM? :) +Hexagon1 (talk) 06:43, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

I agree that anyone can create neologisms but people should think twice about saying that a name is official if they can't back it up. The idea that the Czech Government (Vláda) or Parliament has ever issued any official document saying "Czechia" is an English word seems preposterous to me and I won't believe it until someone provides evidence. I have heard there was a hearing in the Senate about Česko (don't know about Czechia but again, it seems preposterous). The fact remains, however, that Česko is not used in any official documents or on postage stamps. It's conspicuous by its absence! Juro is advocating that we "educate the masses" about Czechia but he needs to come up with a citation to back his claim before we embark on that road. If and when he does provide the citation, we could put the following in the article:

"According to [document number this and that], the recommended short form of the country's name in English is Czechia. This form, however, is not in widespread use. In the Czech Republic itself there is significant opposition to a proposed short form (Česko) and, though it has gained a degree of acceptance in spoken Czech, it is hardly ever used in writing."

--Smithfarm 15:57, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Public Hearing in the Czech Senate

Full transcript is available here - warning: it's in Czech and it's in Microsoft Word format. --Smithfarm 16:04, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

It's interesting reading. It says, among other things, that the official document Juro is referring to was issued by the Czech Geographical and Surveying Office "with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs" (not BY the ministry at all) and that it was issued by the Czechoslovak Federal office in 1992 - before the Czech Republic came into existence. Since that time no Czech government body, not even the surveying office, has issued any document on the subject. When the UN asked the Czech authorities to provide a short geographical name, NOBODY REPLIED and so it defaulted to "Czech Republic". Another interesting thing that one of the speakers noted: the case of the Dominican Republic is analogous. Linguistically, you can make a noun out of any adjective, but that doesn't mean it will be used. --Smithfarm 16:24, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

Again, you have picked out, what you wanted to pick out, and distorted it. Also, note that this (political) text is supposed to be a hint, not a professional source (except for the contributions of linguists in the debate).Juro 01:49, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

There is lack of respect for the state's official name, naming and written language in general. Also Czech Goverment Office employees doesn't understand English well, furthemore (and thankfully) they have no right to create new English words. Take Czech language itself as a horrible example of misused latin, they write most of the words exactly as they speak, without any respect to the written language. Look how badly they named (or mostly renamed) the old towns, streets etc. For example "Budweis" renamed to "Ceske Budejovice", "Carlsbad" renamed to "Karlovy Vary". Even historic places with rooted names for centuries were renamed to awful Czech versions and that happened all recently in 20th century. Of course that region now mostly occupied by Czechs has an official name, take a look at all maps from the early middle ages to the year 1918. I wonder whether Russian influrence has anything to do with this massive renaming of the last 80 years, it is like if they tried to shoot themselves in the heel or something. --IEEE

Oh, here we go with strange nationalistic agendas again, do you honestly think English is closer to Latin then Czech? That's rich. Where are all the cases then? And I'd much rather prefer a phonetic language, and so would 80% of all English speakers and all people who are learning English as a second language, but the deviations between pronunciations would make it impossible to agree on any spelling. And your Czech renaming argument is illogical. Karlovy Vary was founded by Charles IV, and I'm sure as soon as it was founded it had a 'proper' Latin name and a local Czech name. ČB was founded by a knight of King Otakar II of Bohemia, and I'm sure the situation was similar although in his time the local language would have been prevailing over Latin due to Bohemia's independence back then. What do you mean historic names for places? The Czech names have been around for a hell of a lot longer then the English names. Prague was speaking Czech and Latin when English still looked like Danish. And Bohemia? That referred only to the part that is now.... also known as Bohemia. The CR encompasses Moravia and Czech Silesia too. And yes, something we don't like so, after making an illogical argument, we blame those EVIL communists in Russia. After all, everything wrong with this fault is Russia's fault. I'll stop insisting on Czechia though. I mean, honestly, who cares. +Hexagon1 (talk) 10:45, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

So you can't stand other people's opinion, how nice. English is much closer to Latin then Czech that is Slavic language (has nothing in common with Latin). And you didn't understand my point, its all about written language (usage of Latin characters), you can't write words phone- exactly (you obviously don't know why). Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV was Franconian not Czech and he founded Carlsbad not "Karlovy Vary" same apply for Budweis. Bohemian Kingdom contained Bohemia, Moravia & Silesia yes, in times borders and some lands were excluded/included, but that region was never called Czechia or by any other Czech derivative in the west, always Bohemia. Czechs that are Slavic in origin naturally despise English/German/Latin naming so that is why they insisting upon renaming of old Germanic places/names. And the "Russian factor" cant be overlooked, because Slavic Russians also prefer Slavic naming over English/German/Latin equivalents. Why for example even czech beer brewers still use "Pilsen Urquel" instead of "Plzen Urquel" or "Budweis-er" instead of "Ceske Budejovice-xx" for naming of their beers then ? --IEEE —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 84.242.95.132 (talk • contribs).

Just on the last question, the beer brands you mentioned are only for export. In the domestic market they use the names "Plzensky Prazdroj" and "Budejovicky Budvar". --Smithfarm 14:37, 6 April 2006 (UTC)

I can stand other people's opinion - just not when they're babbling complete non-sense. English is a GERMANIC language. Latin is a ROMANCE language. You could say that English got most of the vocab and Czech got the complex inflections and what's-not from Latin. I don't really get your sentence there about me not understanding, (ironic, but true), if you mean that Czech is written informally, like it's said, then that's complete non-sense. Even I have difficulty reading Czech legal texts due to the complex cases of inflection combined with really long words, and I'm a native speaker. And I don't quite get you in regards to the Latin alphabet. Please elaborate. I never said Charles called the city he founded "Karlovy Vary", we don't know what name he prefered as back then he was forced to use Latin, but it obviously had a local Czech name ever since it was founded, what - do you think it was refered to as "you-know-where"? Same for ČB. And now as Czech is a dominant language in CR, they would obviously use Czech names for cities. Your argument against the term "czech" makes no sense either, czech refers collectively to Bohemia, Moravia and Czech Silesia, not just Bohemia. Bohemia is STILL known as Bohemia, nothing has changed. And if you think the Czechs renamed it from Bohemia to Čechy, you are crossing languages, Bohemia is, was, and most likely always will be the name for the region in English, where-as Čechy is, was and most likely always will be the name in Czech. As for your "Russian influence", I have two words. Prove it. And Smithfarm's comment dispelled your illusions about beer quite well. PS: Do NOT remove the strikethrough through your signature. If you are IEEE, log in and then you can remove the strike-through. For all we know, you could be an imposter. +Hexagon1 (talk) 23:05, 6 April 2006 (UTC)

Ok, but this thread was started because of missing English names, I don't care about Czech names. Furthemore I meant "Latin" characters because Czech is using Latin and English also, English is at least paying respect to Latin alphabete/characters, Czech language not. Russians for example invented their own characters and didn't try to mess with Latin. I hate what Czech did to all names that === WAS USED === IN THE PAST AND WAS === RENAMED === RECENTLY by Czechs. Rosenberg ==> Rozmberk ? What is that? After 1918 Czechs renamed towns, hills, rivers etc. that is fat FACT. This needs to be remembered. And if you try to silence people that remember things, whose family is deeply rooted to lands that was renamed and devastated by Czechs that is really scary. Things really changed because this lands were never officially called "Czech-xx" ever before 1918. And the beer named "Plzensky Prazdroj" is Czech domestic market beer, that has nothing to do with my point, my point was about old naming that those beers still carry "Pilsner Urquel" in this case as a proof of my previous point about old names. btw: showing Australian flag in this disscusion is quite odd --IEEE

You honestly think English is closer to the Latin pronunciation then Czech? Dream on. The closest living descendant of Latin is obviously Italian, and Czech is closer to Italian in the phonetic and grammatical aspects then English. Russians invented their alphabet? That actually made me laugh out loud. The Cyrillic alphabet is simply an evolved form of the Glagolitic alphabet brought to Moravia (today the Czech Republic, btw) by the Saints Cyril and Methodius from Thessaloniki. I can't comment on Rosenberg because I don't know which one you mean, but I suspect it was just phoneticised to correspond with the original pronunciation. And your beer argument is incomprehensible. The flag is in my SIGNATURE you nong, as you should have noticed it appears everywhere my sig does. Everytime I sign a post the Aussie flag appears. Lot's of people do this, eg User:Royboycrashfan, User:Swatjester, User:Kungfuadam, etc. and even more put other things such as smiley faces or Esperanza e's or a's. +Hexagon1 (talk) 06:06, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] >Zanatic< calling Czech Republic > "CECHO" like GECO! insult! there is no such country in NATO! no such hockey team.)

Please see there is majority German speaking people supporting this usage. Czech

Evidence? Zanatic 11:50, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

thats easy one. yours and any other person changing this, as can be seen on their user page. Czech

I am not German nor speak German very well. Zanatic 11:56, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

please see user page for proof. Czech

[edit] vandalism by 71.99.xxxxx

From the IP address beginning with 71.99. there are some vandalistic changes here and on the main page. The same happened in the German Wikipedia, and quite extensive in the Czech Wikipedia, where there was a range block for 71.99. It is an IP from Florida. See here. -jkb- 16:32, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

See also here. -jkb- 16:43, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

I like to see some proof! Personal attack! There where never ever any changes made by me to the MAIN PAGE! Czech

read: main page, not Main page, so it means main page Czech Republic in contrary to this talk page. -jkb- 08:10, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

Main page its main page! Watch your Words! This IS personal attack and lie! I repeat: You can't change the Truth by posting Lies! Czech

---

correcting its not vandalism. blocking 71.99.. is not acceptable by wiki policy. there is more users, than people living in Czech Republic! jkb is PRO-CESKO I am PRO-Ceska republika that is not vandalism. but conflict of interest.

Note >jkb< is another German speaking user rnforcing usage of Czechia or CESK0 on wiki wolrdwide.

Czech

---

the same happens at the present on approximately one dozen of wikipedias, see my notices above. -jkb- 16:58, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] but now it seems to be quite settled down in the language as it is widely used in Czech media.

What at this sentence is not true? Zanatic 10:07, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

let google count occurences for "Ceska republika" and "Cesko", you even need not to filter out correct forms like "cesko-nemecky". Your position is biased and you are misusing wkipedia for promoting your personal opinions. Czech media is not Czech people. The quality of Czech language used in Czech media today is too often worse then bad. You may revert my changes as many times as you like but this doesn't mean that you are right. This might be only the evidence, that you have much more free time then me. Cepek 10:18, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

We don't treat the level of Czech media, do we? The sentence is true. (This week I have no free time, however this article is for me worth of wasting my time.) Zanatic 10:22, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

You are wasting something more important then your free time. Cesko is used in Chczech media, but saying plain that too many Czech journalists speak a very low language would spoil your argument, thus this fact must be erased. Should I count Czech intelectuals who objected against Cesko? Surely not, it would be just a waste of time. Cepek 10:37, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia does not describe the world of intellectuals but of all people. If it's used by media, it's widely used, no matter what the quality of the media is. (I don't think Czech media would use very low language comparing them to media in any other country, but that's not the point.) Zanatic 10:42, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

I have reverted my last edit to your previsous formulation. My objection is that media is not only corruptiong our culture but even our language. I do not have time today to follow the discussion. Cepek 11:01, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] A comment on Czechia

Undoubtedly it is right that The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993 announced that the name Czechia is recommended to be used in all situations other than formal official documents and the full names of government institutions. But is this recommendation still fulfilled? Go to the web page of Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.mzv.cz/

and try to find Czechia in English pages. The result today is just two records. Not much for officially recommended name, is it? The question is what is their search engine, but anyway Czechia does not seem to be heavily supported by the ministry.

The corresponding text should be adjusted. Cepek 15:32, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

I'd still prefer Czechia over Czechland.... :D +Hexagon1 ^(t) 14:22, 26 May 2006 (UTC)

... and I prefere Czech Republic, so what? Cepek 09:13, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

That was a joke, you didn't get it. I don't mind which is used, but use CR mostly myself. +Hexagon1 ^(t) _{08:26 31 05 2006}

Sorry! I really missed your point and I must agree with you. I know only about one alternative worse than Czechland and it is "Morče" (Mor-ava and Če-chy ... fortunately this prank cannot be translated to English). --Cepek 07:57, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

 :D I get it, I speak Czech. +Hexagon1 ^(t) 09:09, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia must take the first steps in promoting the name Czechia, instead of the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is much too formal and awkward. The Czech government and people support the name Czechia and the only argument we (English speaking world) have against it is the lack of use in English of Czechia. Why not make the title Czechia (Czech Republic) until all users become familiar with the name Czechia. This should avoid all confusion amongst English users while promoting the correct name and respecting the wishes of the Czech people. (Sorry I have no signature, not yet a user but frequent editor). May, 26 06

@ 69.159.66.192: Seveal times I reverted here some vandals who changed permanently Czechia to Czech republic as I think Czechia is a correct short name. But note this: Wikipedia is here not to promote something, just to describe existing. -jkb- 08:04, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

Permanently reverting Czech Republic to Czechia is nothing but promoting Czechia, you simply ignore opinion of all those who do not share your point of view. Calling Czech Republic Czech Republic is not vandalism. Cepek 09:12, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

What i meant in my above comment (the unsigned one on Czechia) is that the title could be a compromise.. for example Czechia (Czech Republic), or Czech Republic (Czechia). In using the brackets confusion should be minimized while still using the official name. By the way where do I sign up to get a username..? May 27 2006

See Log in / Create Account on the top on the right side when you enter Wikipedia. Klick there - no risk no fun :-), -jkb- 12:00, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not play ground. When The Economist starts to use Czechia than and only then it is time to switch here. Pavel Vozenilek 19:01, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

To whoever keeps changing the religions section to that 2001 census, PLEASE STOP! I have several more reccent scources that say otherwise. For example: a travel guide using facts made in mid 2004 by Czech people, a 2005 almanac, and the 2002 cia world factbook. (QZX)

[edit] Pro-Czechia activists

Yesterday I updated section "Name" to reflect the current situation when the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs is clearly not promoting Czechia and as a proof I recommend to visit official web page of the Czech Republic by the ministry. My text was:

The official name is Czech Republic. Colloquial Czech single word name is Česko, disputed by many Czech people but frequently used by others. See Names of the Czech Republic and Czech lands.

My edit was reverted without any explanation or comment by User:Juro.

I am returning my edit back because there was no proof given that my edit was wrong. I suggest that all who would like to use Wikipedia as a place for promoting Czechia visit official web of the Czech Republic (www.czech.cz) first.

--Cepek 08:36, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Juro reverts again

... so we have a problem. To solve it, lets state the facts first:

1. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993 suggested that the name Czechia be official alternative in all situations other than formal official documents and the full names of government institutions, but this has not caught on in English usage.
2. in 2006 the official web of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not using Czechia any more, see http://www.czech.cz/

These two facts are in contradiction and surely belong to the article Names of the Czech Republic. The question is, if these also belong to the article on the Czech Republic. I am sure that without full explanation these should not be given here. Thus I am reverting two recent edits by Juro back.

--Cepek 14:37, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Juro reverts once more

As Juro calls for information, I have added relevant information on existence of the official website of the Czech Republic, where Czechia is not used in 2006

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993 suggested that the name Czechia be official alternative in all situations other than formal official documents and the full names of government institutions, but this has not caught on in English usage. The official website of the Czech Republic (www.czech.cz) run by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not using the name Czechia in 2006; its Czech equivalent Česko is disputed by many Czechs, but frequently used by others. See Names of the Czech Republic and Czech lands.

Changing many to some is futile, try simple google search

In a case of another revert by Juro I am going to call for assistance the Mediation Cabal (as the first step)

--Cepek 07:57, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

Now the section is almost correct. Still I have one more comment. Juro mentions Dictionary of the Czech(?) Academy of Sciences [Czechoslovak(!)] 1970. In my edition from 1989 [Slovník spisovného jazyka českého, ČSAV, Ústav pro jazyk český] I read:

(zastaralý výraz) Česko, -a s. Čechy, Čechy a Morava (Na rozdíl od Slovensko); nově ČSR (od r. 1969)

[(obsolete) Bohemia, Bohemia and Moravia (as in contrast to Slovakia), (newly) Czech Socialist Republic (since 1969)] ... association of Česko with the Czech Socialist Republic is enough for many Czechs enough to consider it discredited. ... but there are no doubts about Česko being a Czech word.

But here we are talking about Czechia. My objection was that in spite of all official documents even the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not seem to support Czechia today.

The question is if this detailed comment should be given here (should it be also explained here that Česko had a different meaning than the one more commonly used today? I don't think so!) My opinion is that all this would better fit into Names_of_the_Czech_Republic.

--Cepek 16:56, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Cubic Zirconia

This page redirects from CZ, which is a common abbreviation for cubic zirconia. Can we make a disambiguation page that includes cubic zirconia? Single guy 13:19, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I agree. JanSuchy 14:33, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Motto

Is anyone able to provide a reference for the motto Truth prevails? I could find no evidence that it used as a national motto; the best I found was [13], which states that the motto was used in the coat of arms of Czechoslovakia after its liberation in 1945. Pruneau^talk 11:08, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

It is written on president's flag. --Li-sung 17:27, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Thanks a lot! Pruneau^talk 22:58, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Religions of the Czech Republic

Somebody kepps changing the religions section to that old 2001 cencus. I have more than enough sources that show more recent facts such as a 2005 almanac, a travel guide using facts from 2004, and the 2003 CIA world fact book. 59% OF CZECHS CANNOT BE ATHEIST!!! In 2000 over half of the Czech Republic was religous (most of which Christan). So how could 59% just change to atheism in 1 year?! Changing faith is not like changing internet service, you don't just get bored of beliving in god and overnight you go from a devout beliver to a strong disbeliver. Besides in 2000 38% of Czechs were nonreligious or atheist and in 2003 39% percent were. wouldn't it be strange 38 to spike to 59, and then drop to 39? There must have been a misunderstanding of a 2001 cencus. (QZX) —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.244.247.155 (talk • contribs) 22:44, 8 September 2006 (UTC).

Sorry, but I can not agree. 2001 is up-to-date census in Czech Republic and is more relevant as raw estimations of CIA or only raw investigation. No census was in Czech Republic in 2003!!

• 1) Where are reference for you alternative numbers?
• 2) How are originating this numbers?
• 3) Problem with numbers is easy. Only cca 4% of Czechs visit chapel constantly (one times in week, on Sunday). Here is a great many people, for which is beliving only tradition or actual turn of mind. Cinik 19:22, 9 September 2006 (UTC)

Census means the process of obtaining information about every member of a population. Last two census in the Czech Republic were in 1991 and 2001. Everybody was asked about religion and "no religion" responded 4,112,864 citizens (39,9 %) in 1991 and 6,039,991 citizens (59 %) in 2001. --Li-sung 21:53, 9 September 2006 (UTC)

Don't you think the cia would try to use the most relevant information in their "raw estimate?" QZX —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.244.247.155 (talk • contribs) 22:17, 13 September 2006 (UTC).

What is it "more relevant informastion"? What is more relevant source of information as census? 213.29.96.163 12:32, 14 September 2006 (UTC)

See exact results [14], section 5 (Czech), [15] and [16]. --mj41 19:18, 14 September 2006 (UTC)

Sorry for the misunderstanding of my last entry, what I meant was that if the cia made "raw" estimations in 2003 after the 2001 cencus was made, wouldn't they base them around the 2001 cencus? Also, you are suggesting that all of the researchers working for 2 different almanacs, the cia, and a group of Czech experts have no clue what they are talking about. Not one person of that group even noticed the most accurate source, they all are just making blind guesses on information from 1991 (which, I may add was when the Czech Republic and Slovakia were still united)! You say we cannot get any accurate information from any other source other than a cencus that is taken every 10 years. I'm not saying the 2001 cencus is wrong, I just want to know why 4 different sources from completely dependable companys are wrong and cannot be belived. QZX —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.124.76.234 (talk • contribs) 22:44, 21 September 2006 (UTC).

Census is only one acccurate source about everyone citizen. All others are raw estimates. I don't know primary sources of CIA and why are source from CIA so diferent. (I only know, what accurate and actual was CIA's maps of Belgrade in time bombing of Yugoslavia. :-) ) Cinik 17:57, 28 September 2006 (UTC)

I second that. Even while I am personally taking CIA factbook generally as relevant source of information, if compared to well carried census ... there cannot be comparison.

In this issue, there can be some missunderstanding of what that mean to be atheist. Generally in Czech republic is great distrust to any kind of organisation concerning spirituality, while actual scepticism toward existence of any Deity itself could be a little less prominent (however still being perhaps the highest in the world). Reo ^ON | +++ 22:39, 28 September 2006 (UTC)

There was previously a 2005 "Eurometer poll" that stated that 19% of Czechs belived in a god but 53% belived that there is a spirit or life force snd 30some didn't belive ina god, is this scource accurate and dependable? It seems more in tune with the 2001 cencus QZX —The preceding unsigned comment was added by QZX (talk • contribs) 15:37, 13 October 2006 (UTC).

The only one reliable source is census. E.g. edit about a lot of Budhists in CZ is simply a nonsense. Tulkolahten 19:24, 13 October 2006 (UTC)

Who said there were alot of Bhuddists in the Czech Republic? I never said that! There is propably a tiny group, but not "alot". Where did you get the idea I said there were alot? QZX —The preceding unsigned comment was added by QZX (talk • contribs) 23:21, 17 October 2006 (UTC).

[edit] Non-standard and potentially POV map should be reverted

The map for this country has recently been changed to a format which is not standard for Wikipedia. Each and every other country identifies that country alone on a contintental or global map; none of them highlight other members of relevant regional blocs or other states which which that country has political or constitutional links. The EU is no different in this respect unless and until it becomes a formal state and replaces all other states which are presently members; the progress and constitutional status of the EU can be properly debated and identified on the page for that organisation; to include other members of the EU on the infobox map for this country is both non-standard and potentially POV.

Please support me in maitaining the Czech Rep's proper map (in Wikipedia standard) until we here have debated and agreed this issue? Who is for changing the map and who against? The onus is on those who would seek to digress from Wiki standard to show why a non-standard and potentially POV map should be used. The Czech Republic deserves no less! JamesAVD 15:31, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

This user has decided to remove references to the EU from the page of every member state, and is now spamming this message on every talk page. See his talk page for more details. yandman 15:33, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

Please do not discuss here, but at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Countries so a uniform decision can be reached. Kusma (討論) 15:37, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

The users above are misrepresnting my actions. Certain non-standard items have been included in the infoboxes of the pages of some European states. I have removed the undiscussed and unsupported changes and started a discussion here on the best way forward. I have in no way 'removed references to the EU'! The EU is an important part of the activities of the governmenance of many European states, to the benefit of all. That does not mean that an encyclopedia should go around presenting potentially POV information of the constitutional status of the EU in the infoboxes of states which are supposed to be standardised across Wikipedia. I'm interested in what users here feel? Please feel free to comment at any of the various pages Yandman might suggest. JamesAVD 15:53, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

PLEASE DISCUSS THIS AT Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Countries#Location_Maps_for_European_countries--_discussion_continues as it involves more than just this country.

Thanks, —MJCdetroit 20:30, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] How do you pronounce Czechia?

I see there's a mass of discussion above about this name vs. Czech Republic: advocates for Czechia, the longer it takes for you to give an IPA pronunciation, the longer it will take to be adopted. Njál 18:01, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

" do not use such nasty word.

pmp —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.99.116.25 (talk • contribs) 16:12, 16 November 2006 (UTC).

/ʧekiə/ --Li-sung 18:20, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

Shouldn't that be an "h" rather than a "k"? logologist|Talk 07:21, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

No, It is pronounced as the word "Czech" /ʧek/ + ia. --Li-sung 08:40, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] About the name of our country: Czech Republic, Czechia, Bohemia???

Czech Republic = official name

Czechia = presented as the short name of the Czech Republic, but in the fact it is a synonymum for the older name Bohemia, which is not normally being used by Czechs and the other Slavonic nations

Bohemia = older version of Czechia, mostly used in the German and Roman languages

The Czech Republic consists of Bohemia/Czechia + Moravia + Moravian Silesia

If you already have bought any souvenir with the name CZECH, I can make you sure, you are wearing a nonsense!

Czech = holder of the passport of the Czech Republic

Czech = nationality

Czech = language

Czech = adjective

-LJM- —The preceding unsigned comment was added by LJM (talk • contribs) 18:38, 18 November 2006 (UTC).

I'm sorry but you are wrong. CZECHIA is NOT synonym for the older name of BOHEMIA. BOHEMIA had always been BOHEMIA. Same for MORAVIA. Same for SILESIA. Former CZECH KINGDOM (or CZECH LANDS or The lands of the CZECH Crown) included three historic lands: BOHEMIA, MORAVIA and SILESIA (part). CZECHIA is one-word designation for the country formed by BOHEMIA, MORAVIA and SILESIA. Is it now clear to you? --85.207.40.58 20:55, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] No history?

Ne maš dějiny? There's no article on the history of the czech republic? It's really too bad that nothing has happened in the Czech republic since 1993, aside from joining the EU and Nato. The past 16 years must have been really boring. =) - TheMightyQuill 19:30, 1 December 2006 (UTC)