[Freebooter]

Originally Posted by Dux

Prometheus, would Slovenes and Croatians agree on returning to a Yugoslavian Federation? Well, add to that comparison, the fact that cultural differences between Portugal and Spain are not that shallow and, for an instance, the languages are not that mutually inteligible.

What is this 'Spanish culture' you speak of? I would suggest that there is no 'one' Spanish culture, but there are intra-national cultural and linguistic differences throughout Spain on a regional basis, meaning it wouldn't be very difficult for Portugal to fit in as well.

The reality is that my father doesn't understand almost a word of Spanish (Castillian one should say), nor my mother, nor my brother, nor most of my friends, nor the great majority of our population except those living near the borders. Written is easier, alright. Same thing goes for Spain: When I travel through Spain, no one understands me, even if I speak slowly.

Having lived in Canada, I can attest to the fact that there a great many Ontarians who don't speak a word of Canadian French and I have little doubts that there are a number of Quebecois who don't speak a word of English. A language barrier seems to be a rather poor excuse to oppose a reunion with the rest of Spain, and it is certainly possible to work around such an obstacle.

Even if we are practically of the same ethnic composition, do you think people will throw away 879 years of sovereignity?

Yes, that's the main argument I have encountered when discussing the notion of a reunion with Spain with my closest of friends - overzealous, perhaps even false patriotism coupled with a complete and utter lack of understanding of the term 'Spain'.

But we won our cause, and we thank God we don't have identitarian problems. The truth is Spain didn't solve its national issues, and we did, long ago.

Actually, I would suggest that the 'identitarian problems' of Spain very much includes Portugal.