Zubrowkan nomenclature dispute

Philosopher Jozef Novák, considered to have started the discussion, posited in 1989 that "We have been called many names, but what do we call ourselves?"

The Zubrowkan nomenclature dispute refers to the ongoing discussion and dispute regarding the use of the word Zubrowka and Srovia, and to what extent either should be used in the place of the other. For Republic of Zubrowka, the homonymous name has been used to describe the area surrounding the valleys of the River Váh since at least the 13th century, when Matthew the Great usurped his domain from the Kingdom of Hungary and crowned himself ruler of his domain. However, since the late 14th century, the Germanized name Sürwien was widely used with the Holy Roman Empire and was in turn later anglicized into Srovia, which the Kingdom was referred to until the late early 20th century.

The controversy spans multiple layers, including concerns regarding the roots and usage of both names. Following the exit from Czechoslovakia by the Republic of Zubrowka, there was a reignited interest in semiotics as a result of decommunization; the previously ruling Zubrowkan Party of the Revolution highly encouraged the use of the name Zubrowka as opposed to Srovia, with the aim that it projected pan-Slavic and socialist unity, and following the establishment of the Republic, a similar countermeasure was widely expected. The ensuing public discussion resulted in the popularity of the name Srovia, though objections from the Zubrowkan Language Council and from Zubrowkan historians resulted in the decision to maintain the name Zubrowka in formal settings.