Why are some countries referred to as 'Motherland' and others as 'Fatherland?

Question

Germany is a 'fatherland'.

Answer 1

And the there's "homeland" too. It's a question of local tradition. Countries with strong paternalistic traditions like Germany use "fatherland". Other countries like Russia prefer the "connotation of one's country of birth and growing up, with the country being respectfully viewed as a benign mother nurturing its citizens as her children." ("Motherland", Wikipedia). "Mother Russia".

"Homeland" refers to "the concept of the territory (cultural geography) to which an ethnic group holds a long history and a deep cultural association with —the country in which a particular national identity began." ... "often [has] ethnic nationalist connotations". ("Homeland", Wikipedia) Just look at apartheid-era South Africa with it's racist "Big Apartheid" policies of "home rule" and "bantustans". No wonder the ANC hymn and new South-African national hymn "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" refers to a female "Afrika" :

"Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika;
Malupakam'upondo lwayo"

"Lord, bless Africa;
May her horn rise high up"

Answer 2

Interesting question. Russia is a Motherland and Germany is a Fatherland. As far as I know it's about the grammatical gender used to describe the country. But I'm not sure. Russia is feminine in french and I think in Russian too.

I'd love to know the real answer.

Answer 3

Fatherland is the nation of one's "fathers" or "forefathers." It can be viewed as a nationalist concept, insofar as it relates to nations. (Compare to motherland and homeland.)

Motherland is a term that may refer to a mother country, i.e. a Metropole in contrast to its colonies, or the origin of an ethnic group or immigrant. This usage is sometimes seen also in English, maybe more often in the social sciences.

Motherland is otherwise a synonym for fatherland, though perhaps carrying different psychological associations. It especially has the connotation of one's country of birth and growing up, with the country being respectfully viewed as a benign mother nurturing its citizens as her children.

The term "Motherland" is very often applied to Russia, and many Russians and various Slavs around the world refer to Russia as their motherland, even if they do not have immediate ancestors from that country.[citation needed]

In Spanish-speaking countries Madre Patria can refer to the speaker's own home country, or be understood as a general reference to Spain.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherland

Answer 4

Well the continent of Africa is referred to as the Motherland because it said that's where human evolution began. I've never heard of fatherland, I don't know what place is called that.

Answer 5

I thought it might be something to do with the gender used in the original language for the country referred to as Geoffrey hinted at, but in French 'La France' is feminine but they refer to 'La Patrie' - the fatherland - which bizzarley is feminine too.

Sorry, this doesn't help!

Answer 6

Africa is the home of the evolution of people?!? Is that why they wear loin cloths and such in some parts. The term motherland is reffering to ANYONES home country or origin of there ancesters or race. So yes a black person may refer to Africa as the motherland, because that may be the place of origin for their ancesters. And yea, i have never heard of the term 'fatherland'.

Answer 7

who has ever said "fatherland?"