Map Enthusiasts

I laughed.

But there's a reason it does. It's called Varsinais-Suomi, ie "Finland Proper".

I genuinely just thought about that today, a few hours ago, and I think it's rather the same think for English speakers, just on a vastly different scale, since English isn't only spoken in England.

From the 1650's or something we've been calling ourself something the "the Actual Finns". Which is ridiculous. I don't agree with it, but it certainly is explained by the commonly prevailing attitudes around here.

The name Finland Proper has historical roots. In Early Middle Ages, in the area of the present-day Southern Finland was inhabited by three main tribes: the Finns, the Tavastians and the Karelians. The southwestern part of the country, where the Finns lived, was originally called simply Finland (Suomi in Finnish).

By the 17th century, the name Finland began to be used for a broader area, creating a need for a more specific name for this region. The earliest recorded terms for "Finland Proper" appeared in Latin in the 1650s as Fennigia specialiter dicta and Fennigia presse dicta. Later, in the 18th century, the Swedish terms Finland för sig sielft and Egenteliga Finland emerged. The modern Swedish name Egentliga Finland became officially recognized by the end of the century, while the Finnish equivalent, Varsinais-Suomi, was established around the 1850s.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Finland#Origin_of_the_name_Finland_Proper

Oh wait... now I'm rereading more of this, since the SOTE-change have they changed Finland Proper as well? Am I supposed to write "Southwest Finland" as my address currently..? I've been using "Finland Proper", so at least that still works but..

Anyway, in much the same way Scotts or people from Wales can be upset if you'd mistake them as English, I can see how you'd be upset at them labeling this bit Finnish and the others not, despite being Finnic languages. Imagine calling an Irish bloke "English" just because he speaks English because the English forced their language on them.

The Swedes trying doing the same to Finland but we're too stubborn with our languages I guess. Also, it's not exactly as easy to take over Central Finland as it might be an Ireland that has been stripped bare.

It's not exactly the same but like... you get the point. I'm rambling about similarities, I'm not making any point here.

I do agree with you that it's kinda offensive but what else would you call it...? :/