Dacopatia și alte rătăciri românești

Dan Alexe tests myths about Romania’s past and sense of itself. He disputes claims that rank Dacians above other ancient peoples. One says Dacians spoke Latin before the Romans did. He questions the worship of the nation’s heroes. He also doubts claims that Romania is great.

These essays link views on culture with the study of language. Alexe looks at harmful habits in the home. He asks how people teach through punishment. He explores the pride people take in their nation. He looks at their sense that others ignore Romania. He also looks at clichés about food and speech sounds. He studies words that come from Romani. His view of Romanian life includes depression and unhappiness. The book is for readers drawn to Romania’s culture and language. It is also for those drawn to its national myths.

Alexe uses humour to test fixed beliefs against facts and reason. Readers can read the book’s parts in any order. He has revised this edition and added more text. A large new chapter studies Romanian words with Iranian roots. These words include cioban, dușman, and murdar. New notes cover Mircea Eliade and Constantin Noica. There is also an index of terms.

The cover shows a chicken in front of a monument. Alexe links this image to a story Marshall McLuhan told. People saw a health film but recalled a passing chicken. They did not recall the film’s message. The image shows how a small detail can hide the whole.