Which of the terms Romanian or Rumene is correct

When referring to the people and language of Romania, the common term used is “Romanian.” However, there is another term, “Rumene,” that is occasionally used to describe the same people and language. This raises the question: which of these terms is correct?

To properly answer this question, it is important to consider the historical and linguistic context of the Romanian language and its people. Romanian is a Romance language, meaning it belongs to the same language family as Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. It is the official language of Romania and Moldova and is spoken by over 24 million people worldwide.

The term “Romanian” is the internationally recognized and widely accepted term for the people and language of Romania. It has been used for centuries and is recognized by the Romanian government, international organizations, and linguistic authorities around the world. This term is derived from the Latin word “Romanus,” which means “Roman.” It reflects the country’s historical ties to the Roman Empire and the fact that the Romanian language is a descendant of Latin.

On the other hand, the term “Rumene” has a more limited use and is primarily associated with the Aromani people. The Aromani, also known as Vlachs or Macedo-Romanians, are an ethnic group mainly concentrated in the Balkans, including parts of Romania. The Aromani are descendants of the Romanized populations of the former Roman provinces of Dacia and Moesia, and their language, Aromanian, is closely related to, but distinct from, Romanian. In the Aromanian language, “Rumene” refers to both the Aromani people and the Aromanian language itself.

It is worth noting that the use of “Rumene” as a term to describe all Romanian people or the Romanian language is not accurate and can be misleading. It is important to differentiate between the Aromani and the broader Romanian population. While the Aromani have their own unique culture and language, they are just one of the many ethnic groups in Romania.

In conclusion, the correct term to use when referring to the people and language of Romania is “Romanian.” This term is internationally recognized and widely accepted. While the Aromani people may use the term “Rumene” to refer to themselves, it should not be applied to the broader Romanian population. It is important to respect the distinct identities and languages of different ethnic groups while also acknowledging the historical and linguistic context of Romania and its people.