“The first half of the 20th century. I’m sorry if you were ignorant of this fact.”
Gee, than I should be happy that my in laws are still alive and weren’t persecuted for speaking Macedonian during the first half of the 20th century! Or maybe they were just “ignorant” of the “law against speaking Macedonian” when they were young and should be grateful no one caught them speaking their language. /s
It wasn’t for speaking the language, but rather for publishing in that language.