Romani is a term that
collectively designates the linguistic and cultural ethnic traits shared among
over 12 million people who reside in many diverse countries throughout the
world and who have often been referred to historically as "Gypsies".
Romani peoples originated in India and resided for an extended period of time
in Byzantine
Anatolia (present-day eastern Turkey). Since then, they have
migrated to and settled in Greece, the Balkans, all of Europe, Russia,
Scandinavia, the Baltic countries, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United
States, Mexico and much of Latin America, as well as Australia. Fluency in one
or more of almost 80 dialects that comprise the Romani language varies, but the
adoption of contemporary technologies has rekindled interest in learning the
language and brought opportunities to communicate over national boundaries as
never before. Romani peoples identify not only with one another but with the
many diverse societies and nations in which they are citizens and with whom
they have interacted over the centuries. As citizens of diverse nation-states,
they speak national languages as well as Romani. "Romani Studies" as
an academic discipline of study emerged first as a specific area of research
within Linguistics. It has since developed into a dynamic domain that embraces
perspectives and methodologies from other disciplines such as sociology,
anthropology, ethnography, political science, migration studies, diaspora
studies, cultural studies, music and history. Romani peoples currently
constitute the largest minority group in the European Union.
The Romani language has
been spoken, to greater and lesser degrees, within families and communities
since departure from India 1000 years ago. Historically, folklorists and
researchers in contact with Romani communities devised some of the earliest
word lists, vocabularies, grammar descriptions and dictionaries, published in
various languages for a variety of dialects. More comprehensive dictionaries
compiled by Romani themselves have recently begun to emerge, for example
through Magoria Books publisher in Canada.
The language is now
taught in different settings throughout the world: university programs, primary
and secondary school classes, cultural and community centers, workshops and
summer camps. Pedagogical materials exist in Romani and in translation. They are
increasing in number due to escalating interest in learning the language, a
fundamental aspect in the expression of pride in Romani identity.