Speaking Armenian

[Virgil]

Ummm....I think he meant that the nation isn't declining, the Armenians that leave that nation are. Thus, you leave your nation behind when you move.

I was born in the US, so I can't read or write it. But for some odd reason, I can recite the alphabet. I'm not sure why it still sticks out in my mind. I had one class in an Armenian church Sunday school when I was a wee little lad. It was too far away, so we stopped going, but I can still recall the letters. Kind of baffling.

I think I speak it fairly well considering we didn't grow up with a single Armenian outside of our immediate family. Once every incredibley great while, when I speak with a relative in Cali, they impressed I speak it as fluentley as I do. So...yeah.....verchatza....

The population is decreasing and yes, the nation is in decline. When there are only 1 million Armenians left you have no Armenian nation.

Like I said...

2 million Armenians vs. 8 million Azeris supported by a 50 million strong Turkish nation

YOU DECIDE

While at the same time the Diaspora is playing with their asses, while the youth goes the way of the "black man". The parents are so busy trying to amass debt that do not notice what is happening to their children.

[Crimson Glow]

The population is decreasing and yes, the nation is in decline. When there are only 1 million Armenians left you have no Armenian nation.

Like I said...

2 million Armenians vs. 8 million Azeris supported by a 50 million strong Turkish nation

YOU DECIDE

While at the same time the Diaspora is playing with their asses, while the youth goes the way of the "black man". The parents are so busy trying to amass debt that do not notice what is happening to their children.

Oh I wasn't saying his point was right or wrong. I was just trying to clarify what he meant, because it seemed like you thought he was saying he's forgotten about his nationality with that quote.

I guess the questions becomes (as I'm not all that familiar with the situation), why is there a decline in migration to Armenia? I mean, according to the CIA, they're loosing people every year (all be it a small amount), not gaining. Is it that bad over there?

[Virgil]

By the way, Crimson Glow that is not what he meant. He has stated this on another forum and every time people need to remind him that if indeed he has assimilated why is he on a Armenian forum.

[Dzunanush]

Yerevan's already worth going to. Any city where work starts at 10am and where the taxi driver invited you for a coffee is fiiiine with me.

I agree that Yerevan is worth going to. I visited it last autumn it was all wonderful - starting from nature and cultural places ending with coffee and friendly people. I don't speak the language too, although before I used to learn it.
When I was in Armenia it was little bit sad because nobody ever realized that i'm armenian...I was real russian girl for them. Anyways, after visiting Yerevan you just realize that this language is worth learning - because it's a part of this beautiful culture.

[Anonymouse]

See Seapahn's logic would work only if he did not come to Hye forum, but yet he comes to a hye board claiming that he has already assimilated into the mainstream. Sorry, Seapahn, but your logic is wrong. Armenians have a chance to make their country better, but tragically, they have been caught up in pop-culture and capitalism.

I agree with the dismal outlook for Armenians, however, trying to blame capitalism is stupid, and shows your ignorance. If anything, it is 70 plus years of Socialist bliss that is responsible for Armenia's current backwardness.

[Anonymouse]

I read, write, and speak Armenian. There is no reason why anyone should not be able to, other than apathy, indolence, and a geniune feeling that they consider themselves "assimilated". Any Armenian who does not learn how to in their lifetime, to me, is responsible. Armenians that are too busy trying to show how assimilated they are, might as well not call themselves Armenians. Case closed.

[Virgil]

I agree with the dismal outlook for Armenians, however, trying to blame capitalism is stupid, and shows your ignorance. If anything, it is 70 plus years of Socialist bliss that is responsible for Armenia's current backwardness.

Anon, I agree with you, so, let me rephrase. I feel that Armenian parents are out to make a buck even if their children grow up culturally devoid.

For instance, when I you tell a Armenian that you want a buy a home in Armenia they quick reply that you should not because there is no profit in it.

[Anonymouse]

Anon, I agree with you, so, let me rephrase. I feel that Armenian parents are out to make a buck even if their children grow up culturally devoid.

For instance, when I you tell a Armenian that you want a buy a home in Armenia they quick reply that you should not because there is no profit in it.

Well, I can understand how Armenian parents here have focused entirely on their business' and forgot about their children and their family. I see this all around me in L.A. and grew up seeing it, there is no point of contention there.

[sSsflamesSs]

I guess the questions becomes (as I'm not all that familiar with the situation), why is there a decline in migration to Armenia? I mean, according to the CIA, they're loosing people every year (all be it a small amount), not gaining. Is it that bad over there?

I'm not sure if I understand your question correctly, but I'm assuming that you are questioning the negative population growth of Armenia.

Here are the reasons:

1. Emmigration - everyone is all too eager to leave Armenia. That's obvious. The reasons are also painfully obvious.

2. High infant mortality rate (24.16 deaths/1,000 live births...vs US's 6.63/1000)

3. Low fertility rate - couples are having less kids because it's difficult to support them.

Sources:

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/am.html

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html

There are probably more reasons, but these are the ones that came to mind.

[xBaron Dants]

Just to offer a glimmer of hope...

The numbers have been getting better lately. The flow hasn't been reversed yet (and it will be reversed, you shall all see), but with the latest information I've read, birth rate and all is starting to go up (albeit slowly), especially in Artsakh.

If you get the jobs, you'll get the people. I'm sure many Armenians, (Hakhverdian's "Lavakooyn Dgherk") will go back as soon as they know that they can make a descent living, and work in their respective fields. If not from LA, many of those in Russia (many of whom have bought property in Armenia lately) certainly will.