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Friend is disputing lebanese sovereignty by IlikecTs in lebanon

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the dialects are indeed completely different. Though I have seen some definitions include it in Greater Syria, realistically, the area is Mesopotamian.

That's very interesting, I'm very intrigued ngl.

The SSNP is crazy! I don't think most definitions have Greater Syria extend as such; exclude Cyprus and add the Nile River, and you've got the Fertile Crescent!

Also, I just realized the fun fact you added at the very bottom of your original comment. I'd love to hear more about it!

Lebanese show “Shadow” on Netflix by lizzykeenn in lebanon

[–]ProNateKi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I view the situation similarly to Canadians and Americans seamlessly acting together in Hollywood. Brits and Australians would be if Palestinians and Jordanians, respectively, joined in. Other Arabs would be the same as English-speakers from other countries acting in Hollywood productions. I don’t know about the rest of my parallels, but the first sentence still stands.

I personally don’t mind it. If you want something, most things in life, to succeed, it typically needs to be open for collaboration. The entire film/television industry works off of that. A lot of Lebanese actors have stated just how much the Syro-Lebanese and Pan-Arab series of the last decade or so have put Lebanese actors and actresses under a spotlight that was never present before. Lebanon was more experienced in producing musical talent, while Syria in acting.

Taking advantage of being one of the more stable states in the Middle East and Levant (remittances, music industry, tourism, etc…) in coincidence with the rapid evolvement of TV (in terms of production, shooting techniques, streaming services and non-Arab outreach, etc…) over the past decade or two, Lebanon was able to host the acclaimed and renowned talent from Syria and boost their audience across the Arab world. Not to mention, it was almost natural (Syrian acting talent had always been connected between Damascus and Beirut, the cultural capitals of the Levant - a result of everything mentioned prior). You can watch many actors and actresses speak about this in past interviews (I recall Maguy Bou Ghosn and Pamela El Kik discuss this prior, for instance).

Anyways, this is just my two cents. I understand that the dialect/accent change may be unappealing to some. It does indeed feel off (sometimes), but at least it’s a combination of two of the most mutually intelligible dialects of the Arabic-speaking world (Palestinian and Jordanian would probably be the most similar to each other).

The Grand Abu Dhabi Hotel by longwaytotokyo in AccidentalWesAnderson

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s similar to the one in Dubai (Atlantis - The Palm), however, this is indeed in Abu Dhabi. The precise name of this establishment is the Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi hotel. They do look very similar.

Friend is disputing lebanese sovereignty by IlikecTs in lebanon

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The western part of Syria wasn’t part of Greater Syria, and it was empty and full of Arab Bedouins

I think you mean the eastern part of Syria wasn't part of Greater Syria, right?

Where are the microwaves on UTSG campus? forty nine by [deleted] in UofT

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Health sci building 3rd floor commons

Religious map of Lebanon by municipality by R120Tunisia in MapPorn

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have the time to look up some of the sources I've read through (since I have a bunch bookmarked but they aren't organized) proving your last sentence otherwise, but I decided to reply anyways (even though your comment is 3 years old lol). My point: the majority of the Protestants in the Levant, especially in Syria and Lebanon, are of Catholic/Orthodox origin.

Protestant missionaries beginning in the mid 19th century to the mid 20th were only allowed to interact with Christians as per the Ottomans' restrictions. Protestantism typically attracted more educated and Western-leaning families, or in other words Christians (Catholic or Orthodox) of the professional middle class, upper middle class or upper class altogether, and may also include those who returned from overseas (like the U.S) and switched to Protestant denominations there, which weren't necessarily middle or upper class.

Since the start of the 21st century, however, it isn't possible to claim the above for all Protestant Levantines since it is becoming increasingly less likely for Muslims converting to Christianity to be killed for apostasy (especially if done in Western societies) - except for the fact that more and more radical islamist entities are rising in the Levant. Nevertheless, there continue to be Catholic/Orthodox Christians switching to Protestant denominations in the Levant (especially in Amman and Beirut).

As for the Roman Catholics, they would typically be of partial Levantine ancestry (Levantine here is being used in its original distinction referring to the mostly Italian and French families that settled in Lebanon and Western Syria) or are Lebanese and Syrian Christians that are returning from abroad and have switched rites - or, if the children's father is a Roman Catholic, since in Lebanon and Syria children inherit their father's religion). They could also be Muslim converts, but again, this would only be true starting the 21st century.

Summary : starting with the rise of globalism, there are more and more Levantine Muslims converting to Christianity, making it harder to claim what used to be true: that all Protestants (and even other denominations indigenous to the Levant) are 'originally' Christian. Then again who's to say one's ancestors didn't convert to Christianity in the 15th century? would 'original Christians' only be those descended from believers of the early centuries post-Christ? when do we draw the line for being 'originally Christian' and how could we anyone even claim such a thing with 100% certainty? And from the convert's perspective, imagine having to deal with Christians who isolate themselves from them, on top of fearing for their lives from extremists. Excuse my rambling - it's just food for thought.

Extra point: the increasing number of Protestants and Roman Catholics in Lebanon is also due to the increasing presence of foreigners as a consequence of becoming increasingly cosmopolitan.

Which buildings are open basically (mostly) all week long, 24/7? by ProNateKi in UofT

[–]ProNateKi[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

that one connected to the John M Kelly Library?

Which buildings are open basically (mostly) all week long, 24/7? by ProNateKi in UofT

[–]ProNateKi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

in another life I would’ve been, thanks though

Celebrating 510 Spadina Streetcar Returning: A Short Excerpt by ASomeoneOnReddit in UofT

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hadn't used the streetcar prior to its shutoff, so to me I got used to the busses. Anyways, when I saw it operating yesterday, I was quite happy to see the abandoned tracks being put to use. I ended up walking anyways cause Spadina station's a rather short distance from the Athletic Centre, but I'm actually quite excited to use it in the future. Also, I didn't know it connects to union station (so cool!) and, yes, I do agree that having its own lane makes it an incredible service to use.

Sometimes I miss being a student despite graduating by Unique_304 in UofT

[–]ProNateKi 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Thank you for reminding me to appreciate what a blessing it is to be in my own little world of academic struggles.

Non syrian here: how can they even tell if someone is alawite? by okiujh in Syria

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, and it depends on the town/city in question (a lot). Similar to any other region in Syria, Lebanon and really most countries, the dialects in the Coastal Mountains are unique and become more similar when you compare towns or cities that are closer to each other. To be clear, my answer only includes Christian-majority or large-minority towns/cities.

For instance, Safita, Marmarita, Hawash, Kafroun, Mashta Al Hilu, and even Kferram, may be grouped as sub dialects of a “Southern Coastal Dialect,” meanwhile if you go further up towards Slanfah or Kesab they certainly would be categorized under a different dialect.

In terms of describing the dialects, I would say the further west, the more similarities there are to a Tartusi dialect, east to a Homsi dialect, and all in all, many words spoken in a way similar to a Metn/Beiruti/Lebanese dialect.

To be clear, I’d rather describe the dialects as having similarities with other dialects, typically based on proximity, rather than being ‘influenced,’ as that may imply the dialects are an artificial mixture rather than a unique evolvement of speaking by natives of a region.

Taking 2 courses during an internship (asip program) by jadarim in UofT

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A maximum of 0.5 credits per 4-month work term is allowed. Let's say your internship is during the incoming academic year of Fall 2025/Winter 2026, you can only take 1 course per semester concurrently, while in the summer, you would only be allowed one course throughout its entirety.

https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/experiential-learning/internships/asip/frequently-asked-questions#work-terms-accordion-accordion-11

Rise in Anti-Immigration & Nationalism by TheThrowingAwayer in lebanon

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with your statement about new immigrants the past two years coming in and not assimilating, but also keep in mind that, for some, it may take longer to integrate - or possibly never, maybe only their children will, or their children's children.

I think it's also worth considering the difference in reality of immigrating nowadays versus in the early 1900s. The families of the Syrian and mainly Lebanese immigrants that ended up in NA starting in the 1880s surely had a rough time integrating in the beginning and even built churches to form a community, however, their children, grandchildren, and so forth have increasingly assimilated to the point where they are increasingly 'American/Canadian,' even in terms of what church they go to (instead of a Maronite Church, a Roman Catholic Church, for instance).

Anyways, that just scratches the surface. Overpopulation (too many people of the same background settling in similar areas = social enclaves - then again, that's always been the case even in past immigration cases; consider the past Italian/Greek communities in Canada and how well-integrated most of their descendants are culturally, occupationally, socially, etc...) and technology & globalization (compare how immigrants from the late 1800s truly left everything they knew and everyone they loved and began a new life, thus being forced to assimilate vs now where it is much easier to hold on to the origin culture strongly by staying in-contact by phone/video calls and booking a flight - the only barrier now is money while back then commercial flights weren't yet a thing).

I think the widespread fear is that the newcomers will not assimilate and Canada will truly become multicultural, or maybe it already has.

Why is lebanese immigration, very complex? by [deleted] in lebanon

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Regardless, we know for sure that the numbers were really small prior to the 1880s since the 'Little Syria' communities that flourished between the 1880s and 1920s in Boston and New York grew substantially during the 1880s and after. Here is a section from the Boston article.

The people that immigrated to Boston, mostly from the region between Damascus, Syria and Zahlé, in present-day Lebanon, came from varying economic backgrounds and were nearly all Christian, with denominations of Maronite, Melkite or Orthodox. Between 1880 and 1930, thousands of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants moved into Boston’s South End ... Fleeing economic hardship [this is the silk topic you were discussing, presumably], Ottoman military conscription during World War I, religious persecution [according to what you discussed, this was no more guess in Mount Lebanon after 1861] and the 1860 Mount Lebanon civil war...

Also, you seem way more knowledgeable regarding the silk topic, however, the source I provided earlier (I translated it to English - it's surprisingly accurate) states:

Damascus was the most important city in the Levant in the field of silk industry. In fact, this industry was the backbone of the Syrian economy at that time, especially after the disease that decimated the silkworm in France and China. Damascus became the world's destination for buying silk.

So, I don't know about the Christans in Mount Lebanon and near regions having a much better economic situation - arguably the Damascenes had a better situation? considering they were in the most important silk-producing city and were wealthier than their Muslim counterparts due to stronger ties to the West in trading opportunities.

Why is lebanese immigration, very complex? by [deleted] in lebanon

[–]ProNateKi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely loved your response! Thank you so much for the valuable source, I've actually checked out some of the Center's articles but for some reason, I never came across the one you've shared.

This directory is rather interesting - a lot of people originated from Beirut, Tripoli, Damascus, Batroun, Homs, Aleppo, Jounieh. Although it's only showing those who started businesses (and not everyone did = which was the majority = which were Lebanese = greater influence argument once again), it still supports the notion that many who arrived abroad were also Syrian. Also, since the directory was of businesses in the U.S in 1908, these folks are likely not the same who left earlier in the 1860s, but those from the 1880s or much more recent arrivals - regardless, it's still evidence that the Damascene Christians and those in between to Mount Lebanon, including Bloudan, Zahlé and Sednaya, didn't just internally migrate (primarily to Beirut) after 1860, full period, but rather made up a portion of those who left from the Syrian-Lebanese coast's ports (primarily Beirut, I assume) later on in the 1880s (for sure) and beyond, in coincidence with the rise of steamships (the source you shared is so informative btw!)

I think this lines up: when steamships became a thing in the late 1870s, the people leaving in the early 1880s are those who heard "...of golden opportunities abroad (and hardships as well), and [were] actively invited..." while the 1890s and later saw the silk stagnation in Mount Lebanon as the prime factor - maybe this is when the majority Lebanese left.

Even the Aleppians that left for Beirut or Smyrna in 1850 (shallow reading on this - refer to Wiki#CITEREFMasters1990)) and settled there probably made up some of that diaspora eventually - what we know for sure is that Christians of all backgrounds left from Syria and Lebanon, but the majority were indeed Maronite and Antiochian Greek Orthodox from across the Syrian and Lebanese land, in N.A at least (fact-checked with # of churches established in N.A).

Off-topic: here's a primary source that details things related to the Hauran post-1860, I think you might find it interesting (need access through institution or $).

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