Question on the use of the terms "Bulgar" and "Bulgarian"

[Draco]

I'm asking primarily the members from Bulgaria: what is the difference between the terms "Bulgar" and "Bulgarian"? Is it the same difference between "Serb" and "Serbian" where "Serb" refers to an ethnic Serb regardless of where he lives and "Serbian" refers to a citizen of the Republic of Serbia regardless of ethnicity?

[Istor]

For me, term Bulgar refers to the original non-Slavic tribe arrived in the Balkans at the same approx time with Slavs.

They were warriors, as all savage peoples, and they incorporated many Slavic peoples in their state. So they were slavicized and became Bulgarians.

[Christov]

Originally Posted by Draco

I'm asking primarily the members from Bulgaria: what is the difference between the terms "Bulgar" and "Bulgarian"? Is it the same difference between "Serb" and "Serbian" where "Serb" refers to an ethnic Serb regardless of where he lives and "Serbian" refers to a citizen of the Republic of Serbia regardless of ethnicity?

Both words basically mean person from Bulgarian origin or citizenship. The difference is the nuance implied: “Bulgar” has derogative sounding, “Bulgarian” has neutral one. It’s like the difference between “Jew” and “Jewish”. So, if you want to be polite, use “Bulgarian”.

[Tsontos]

WHen you type in Bulgars on wikipedia it takes you to the pre-slavicised Bulgar tribes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgars

Interesting map from the same page showing the location of the Slavs in c.650 AD: