What is Angloromani and who are its primary speakers?

Angloromani, also known as Anglo-Romani or Pogadi Chib, is a Para-Romani dialect spoken by the Romanichal people. The Romanichal are a subgroup of the Romani people, and they are primarily found in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking regions.

What are the core linguistic characteristics of Angloromani?

Angloromani is characterized by the integration of Romani vocabulary and syntax into the English language. Essentially, it involves Romanichal people using English as their base language but incorporating elements from their ancestral Romani language.

When did Angloromani emerge as a distinct linguistic form?

Angloromani emerged as a distinct linguistic form following the Romanichal people's arrival in the United Kingdom. It developed from the late 19th century onwards as the Romani language was gradually replaced by English as the everyday and family language among the Romanichal, leading to this hybrid form.

How does Angloromani differ from the simple use of loanwords from Romani in English?

While loanwords like 'lollipop' (from toffee apple), 'pal' (from phral meaning brother), and 'chav' (from chavo meaning boy) are present in general English, Angloromani is more deeply characterized by its Romani vocabulary and syntax integrated into the English spoken by Romanichal people, rather than just isolated borrowed words.

What historical document provides insight into early English Romani?

A document from around the seventeenth century, titled the Winchester Confessions, offers insights into the early form of English Romani. This document indicates that it was a dialect of the northern branch of Romani and shared similarities with the Welsh Romani language.

How has Angloromani evolved from its 17th-century form according to linguistic analysis?

Compared to the 17th-century English Romani, which retained more Indic-based vocabulary, morphology, and influences from Balkan languages, modern Angloromani has shifted. It is now considered a Para-Romani dialect with English sentence structures and influences, while Welsh Romani has maintained more of the original grammatical system.

What is the historical relationship between Welsh Romani and English Romani?

Historically, the variants of Welsh and English Romani were considered the same variant of Romani. They shared common characteristics and are closely related to dialects spoken across Europe, all descending from the initial migration of Romani people into Europe in the late Middle Ages.

What does the Winchester Confessions document reveal about early English Romani grammar?

The Winchester Confessions document, dating from around 1616, suggests that English grammatical structures were beginning to influence English Romani speakers. Specifically, it indicates a shift towards an adjective-noun configuration, contrasting with the noun-adjective configuration found in other Romani dialects, including modern Welsh Romani.

What are the differing scholarly perspectives on the development of Anglo-Romani?

Some scholars believe that English Romani gradually lost its distinctive syntax, phonology, and morphology over time. In contrast, other scholars suggest that Anglo-Romani developed relatively quickly after the Romani people's arrival in England in the sixteenth century, similar to the development of pidgin or creole languages.

What did James Poulter's 1775 testimony indicate about the language used by English Gypsies?

James Poulter's testimony from 1775 indicated that English Gypsies spoke a distinct variant of their own language that outsiders could not understand. This suggests the language was separate from the common 'Canting tongue' of England and was used for everyday communication, not merely as a secret code.

How was the Romani language historically used within Romani families and clans?

Historically, the Romani language was primarily used as a family or clan language. It served as a conversational tool for families to maintain privacy in public spaces, ensuring their discussions remained unintelligible to outsiders. It was not a written language and lacked vocabulary for official or administrative matters.

How did Romani speakers adapt when lacking vocabulary for new concepts?

When Romani speakers encountered concepts for which they lacked specific vocabulary, such as in official or administrative matters, they borrowed terms from English. To maintain the distinctiveness of their language, they often coined new terms by combining or modifying existing English words and Romani roots.

Can you provide examples of how new Angloromani terms were created?

Examples of new Angloromani terms include 'veshengro' for forester (from the Romani word for forest, vesh), 'habbinkerr' for restaurant (combining habbin for food and kerr for house), and 'gavmoosh' for mayor (from gav for village/town and moosh for man).

What is the ultimate origin of the Romani language?

The Romani language originates from India. Its core vocabulary and grammar still show resemblance to modern Indic languages such as Hindi, Kashmiri, and Punjabi.

What challenges can arise from the diversity of Romani dialects?

Due to the significant variation across different Romani dialects, it can be challenging for Romani people from different regions to understand each other if they have not been exposed to other dialects previously. This highlights the linguistic diversity within the Romani-speaking communities.

How is Angloromani classified in terms of language mixing?

Angloromani is classified as a mixed language, with its base languages being Romani and English. This type of language is referred to as Para-Romani within Romani linguistics.

Why do some linguists dispute the classification of Angloromani as a creole language?

While Angloromani has been classified as a creole language by some, many linguists now reject this classification. They argue that the specific circumstances surrounding its origin and its structural makeup do not align with the typical criteria for a creole language.

What is notable about the survival of certain English words in Angloromani?

Some English lexical items that are considered archaic or are used only in idiomatic expressions in Standard English have survived in Angloromani. Examples include words like 'moniker' and 'swaddling'.

How does the distinct English style of Angloromani speakers affect perceptions?

The unique colloquial English style spoken by Angloromani speakers often leads outsiders to mistakenly believe that their speech is merely a regional dialect of English. This distinctiveness is a key feature of the language.

What phonetic feature of Southern Angloromani can cause confusion with West Country English?

The Southern Angloromani variety often features a rhotic pronunciation, meaning the 'r' sound is pronounced after a vowel. This rhoticity is also characteristic of West Country English, leading some outsiders to mistakenly identify Southern Romanichal Travellers as being from that region.

What are the two main dialectal divisions of Angloromani mentioned in the text?

The two main dialectal divisions of Angloromani are Southern Angloromani and Northern Angloromani. These divisions are based on the historical settlement patterns of the Romanichal people.

Which geographical areas are associated with Southern Angloromani?

Southern Angloromani is spoken across the Southwest, Southeast, East Anglia, West Midlands, East Midlands, and South Wales regions of the United Kingdom.

Which geographical areas are associated with Northern Angloromani?

Northern Angloromani is spoken across the Northwest, Northeast, Yorkshire, Northeast Wales, and the Scottish Borders regions of the United Kingdom.

How do speakers of Southern and Northern Angloromani perceive their regional identities?

Speakers of Southern Angloromani identify as Southern Romanichal Travellers, while speakers of Northern Angloromani identify as Northern Romanichal Travellers. They consider their dialects and accents to be different and indicative of distinct regional groups.

How do Angloromani consonants generally compare to standard British English consonants?

Overall, the consonants in Angloromani generally reflect the standard British English consonantal system. However, there are specific differences, such as the trilled 'r' sound and the presence of /x/ in certain dialects.

What is the characteristic pronunciation of the 'r' sound in Angloromani?

In Angloromani, the 'r' sound, when present, is typically trilled, represented phonetically as [r]. This is a distinction from some non-rhotic English accents where 'r' is not pronounced after a vowel.

What is the significance of the /x/ sound in certain Angloromani dialects?

The presence of the /x/ sound, often a guttural sound like the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch', is noted in certain dialects of Angloromani. This is an example of a phonological feature that distinguishes some varieties.

How does the rhoticity of Angloromani vary between dialects?

Angloromani can be rhotic in some varieties and non-rhotic in others, similar to the variation found in English dialects. For instance, the Romani word 'terno' (young) might pass through a stage 'tarno' and be rendered as 'tawno' in a non-rhotic pronunciation.

What grammatical features did the Romani language possess in the 16th century?

In the 16th century, the Romani language was inflected, featuring two grammatical genders, marking for plurality, and case distinctions for nouns and pronouns.

When is Angloromani first referenced in historical records?

Angloromani is first referenced in historical records from the period of 1566–1567.

What changes in Romani personal pronouns and case marking were noted by Leland in the late 19th century?

In the late 19th century, Romani personal pronouns began to be inconsistently marked, and case distinctions started to fade overall. Leland also observed that gender marking had disappeared by this time.

What did George Borrow observe about Romani speakers' language use in 1874?

In 1874, George Borrow noted that some Romani speakers were still using the complete inflectional system of the language, while others were adopting English syntax but retaining a Romani lexicon.

When did gender distinction appear to cease in Angloromani, and what other morphological features persisted?

Gender distinction in Angloromani appears to have ceased around 1876. However, the continued use of Romani plural forms was noted, alongside English verb conjugation, indicating a mixed morphological system.

What morphological changes were evident in Angloromani by 1923?

By 1923, while some noun plural endings were still in use, English prepositions had replaced the original Romani postpositions. This shows a continued shift towards English morphology.

What is the current state of Angloromani morphology?

Currently, Angloromani has lost almost all of its original Romani morphology. Instead, it utilizes English morphology, applying it to Romani lexical items.

What were the two primary word orders permitted in the Romani language?

The Romani language allowed for two main word orders: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) and Verb-Subject-Object (VSO).

How is negation typically expressed in Angloromani?

Negation in Angloromani is expressed using the word 'kek'.

Provide an example of negation in Angloromani.

An example of negation in Angloromani is 'mandi can kek ker līds', which translates to 'I can't do it'.

How is the verb 'to be' optionally handled in Angloromani sentences?

In Angloromani, the verb 'to be' can be optionally deleted in certain sentence structures.

Provide an example of optional 'to be' deletion in Angloromani.

An example of optional 'to be' deletion is seen in the sentence 'tūte kūšta diken muš', which means 'you are a fine-looking man'.

How is emphasis achieved through reduplication in Angloromani?

Emphasis in Angloromani can be achieved through reduplication, where a word is repeated to intensify its meaning.

What is an example of reduplication used for emphasis in Angloromani?

An example of reduplication for emphasis is 'dūvrī-dūvrī', which means 'very distant', derived from the base word 'dūvrī' meaning 'distant'.

What is the purpose of the Anglo-Romani Project?

The Anglo-Romani Project, an initiative of the Romanichal community in Blackburn and the Lancashire Traveller Education Service, aims to document the Anglo-Romani lexicon, including its regional and dialectal variations. It collects samples of conversation and documentation.

Where can one find a dictionary of Angloromani words and their etymology?

A dictionary of Angloromani words and their etymology can be found on the Romani Project website.

What is a common example of an Angloromani phrase and its English translation?

A common example of an Angloromani phrase is 'The mush was jalling down the drom with his gry', which translates to 'The man was walking down the road with his horse'.

What is the Angloromani term for 'child, son, or boy', and how is its usage specific?

The Angloromani term for 'child, son, or boy' is 'chav'. Its usage is specific in that it is primarily used to refer to Romani children, not non-Romani ones.

What is the English slang term derived from the Romani word for 'boy'?

The English slang term 'chav', referring to a rough youth, is derived from the Romani word 'chavo' (boy), originating from a derogatory usage of the term to refer to Romani boys.

What is the Angloromani word for 'toffee apple' or 'red apple'?

The Angloromani word for 'toffee apple' or 'red apple' is 'lollipobbul'.

What is the Angloromani word for 'policeman' or 'villager'?

The Angloromani word for 'policeman' or 'villager' is 'gavver'.

What is the Angloromani word for 'language' or 'tongue'?

The Angloromani word for 'language' or 'tongue' is 'jib'.

What is the Angloromani word for 'I'?

The Angloromani word for 'I' is 'me'.

Angloromani Language Wiki: Angloromani: A Linguistic Mosaic of Culture and Communication

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Overview

What is Angloromani?

Angloromani, also known as Anglo-Romani or Pogadi Chib, is a Para-Romani dialect spoken by the Romanichal people in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking regions. It is characterized by the integration of Romani vocabulary and syntax within the English language used by the Romanichal community.

Linguistic Classification

It is classified as a mixed language, with its base languages being Romani and English. While some have termed it a creole, many linguists now view it as a Para-Romani dialect, reflecting a distinct evolutionary path from traditional Romani.

Historical Context

Romanichal communities used the Romani language from their arrival in the 16th century. By the late 19th century, English largely replaced Romani as the primary daily language, leading to the formation of Angloromani as a distinct linguistic entity.

History & Development

Early Records

A document from around the 17th century, the Winchester Confessions, suggests that early English Romani was a dialect of the northern branch of Romani, similar to Welsh Romani. This indicates a shared linguistic ancestry before divergence.

Linguistic Evolution

Over time, Angloromani evolved from its Indic-based roots. While retaining core Romani vocabulary, it adopted English grammatical structures, phonology, and syntax. This process differed from Welsh Romani, which maintained more of the original grammatical system.

The transition involved changes in morphology, including the loss of gender marking and case distinctions, and the adoption of English prepositions over Romani postpositions. Linguists debate whether this was a gradual shift or a more rapid pidginization/creolization process.

Language Use

Historically, Angloromani served as an in-group language for communication among Romanichal families, particularly in public settings to maintain privacy. While not a written language, it was essential for maintaining cultural identity and distinctiveness from the wider English society.

Linguistic Nature

Mixed Language Characteristics

Angloromani exemplifies a mixed language, blending Romani lexicon with English grammar. This differs from simple loanword adoption; it involves a more profound structural integration, creating a unique linguistic system.

Archaisms and Idioms

Interestingly, Angloromani has preserved certain English lexical items and idiomatic expressions that are now considered archaic or rare in Standard English, such as "moniker" and "swaddling."

Distinction from Cant

Historical evidence suggests a clear separation between Angloromani and "Thieves' Cant" or general criminal slang in England. Angloromani speakers maintained a distinct language for internal communication, separate from the common canting tongue.

Dialectal Variations

Regional Divisions

Angloromani exhibits variations based on the historical settlement patterns of Romanichal groups. The primary divisions are:

Southern Angloromani: Spoken across the Southwest, Southeast, East Anglia, West Midlands, and South Wales.
Northern Angloromani: Spoken across the Northwest, Northeast, Yorkshire, Northeast Wales, and the Scottish Borders.

Identity and Perception

Speakers of these dialects often perceive themselves as belonging to distinct regional groups (Southern Romanichal Travellers vs. Northern Romanichal Travellers). These divisions reflect not only linguistic differences but also cultural and social identities shaped by geographic origins.

Phonology, Morphology, Syntax

Phonology

The consonant system generally aligns with standard British English. A notable feature is the potential for a trilled [r] in some dialects, reflecting rhotic pronunciation. Some dialects also incorporate the /x/ sound. The rhoticity can vary, mirroring patterns in English dialects.

Morphology

Historically, Romani was an inflected language with gender, number, and case marking. In Angloromani, these features have largely eroded. Gender marking disappeared by the late 19th century, followed by case distinctions. English morphology and syntax have largely replaced the original Romani grammatical system.

Syntax

While original Romani allowed for Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) and Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) orders, Angloromani predominantly follows English SVO structure. Negation is typically achieved using the Romani particle kek. Reduplication is employed for emphasis, such as dūvrī-dūvrī for "very distant." The verb "to be" can often be omitted in certain constructions.

Vocabulary & Comparison

Lexical Comparisons

Angloromani vocabulary draws heavily from Romani, but also incorporates English terms. Here's a comparison illustrating its roots and influences:

Angloromani	European Romani	English	Indic Languages	Slang English
chav	ćhavo	child, son, boy (specifically for Romani)	bacha (Persian borrowing)	chav ('rough youth')
lollipobbul	laliphabai	toffee apple	lal seb (Persian borrowing)	lollipop
gavver	gavengro	policeman (or villager)	gavāṇḍhī (Punjabi)
jib	ćhib	language, tongue	jībh (Punjabi)

Common Phrases

Angloromani includes distinct phrases that reflect its unique blend of languages. Here are a few examples:

Kushti divvus	Hello (literally 'Good day')
Sashin?	How are you?
Mandi adusta kushti	I am very well.
Tutti rokker Rummaness?	Do you speak Romani?
Katar kai tutti jells?	Where are you from?
The mush was jalling down the drom with his gry	The man was walking down the road with his horse.

Swadesh List Insights

The Swadesh list provides a core vocabulary comparison, highlighting the Romani origins of fundamental terms while also showing where English influence is apparent or where terms are missing, indicating language shift.

No.	English	Angloromani (Romanes)
1	I	me
2	you (singular)	tu
3	he	of
4	we	amen
5	you (plural)	tumen
6	they	on
12	what	so
15	how	sar
22	one	jek
23	two	duj
24	three	trin
36	woman	romni
37	man (adult male)	murs
42	mother	mama
43	father	oco
63	meat	mas
64	blood	rat
71	hair	shero/bala
72	head	shero
76	mouth	muj
132	to wash	te tovel
140	to say	te penel
170	road	drom
172	red	lolo/cerveno
175	white	parno
176	black	kalo
178	day	dives
185	good	laco
186	bad	nalaco
194	wet	panalo
196	correct	pravo/caco
197	near	pase
198	far	dur
202	in	andro/andre
204	and	a
206	because	lebo
207	name	lav/nav

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References

Bakker (1997). Review of McGowan, "The Winchester Confessions". Journal of the Gypsy Lore Society. 5th ser., 7(1): 49-50.

Peter Bakker, Donald Kenrick: Angloromani. In: David Britain (ed.): Language in the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2007, pp. 368â374, here p. 372.

Samples of Anglo-Romani, Audio files

Dictionary - Angloromani

A full list of references for this article are available at the Angloromani language Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional linguistic advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional linguistic consultation or analysis. Always refer to authoritative linguistic resources and consult with qualified experts for specific academic or research needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Angloromani: A Linguistic Mosaic

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview 🌍

🗣️ What is Angloromani?

🔗 Linguistic Classification

📜 Historical Context

History & Development ⏳

📜 Early Records

➡️ Linguistic Evolution

🗣️ Language Use

Linguistic Nature 🔗

🔄 Mixed Language Characteristics

💡 Archaisms and Idioms

🗣️ Distinction from Cant

Dialectal Variations 🗺️

📍 Regional Divisions

identity Identity and Perception

Phonology, Morphology, Syntax 🔤

🔊 Phonology

⚙️ Morphology

📝 Syntax

Vocabulary & Comparison 🗣️

↔️ Lexical Comparisons

💬 Common Phrases

📚 Swadesh List Insights

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

What is Angloromani?

Linguistic Classification

Historical Context

History & Development

Early Records

Linguistic Evolution

Language Use

Linguistic Nature

Mixed Language Characteristics

Archaisms and Idioms

Distinction from Cant

Dialectal Variations

Regional Divisions

Identity and Perception

Phonology, Morphology, Syntax

Phonology

Morphology

Syntax

Vocabulary & Comparison

Lexical Comparisons

Common Phrases

Swadesh List Insights

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice