Copyright
Walter O. Weyrauch (ed.)
Gypsy Law: Romani Legal Traditions and Culture
Berkeley: University of California Press
(2001), pp. 170-187
A Glossary of Romani terms
Ian Hancock
The Romani Archives and Documentation Center
The University of Texas at Austin
The following
is a glossary of words occurring in the papers in this volume [Weyrauch, 2001],
plus a number of others directly or indirectly relevant to the topics dealt
with. Where they represent usage in
different dialects, this has been indicated.
Romani orthography, and indeed the Romani language itself, is only
now in the process of being standardized. The spelling used here has been
regularized according to the system outlined in Ian F. Hancock, A Handbook
of Vlax Romani (Slavica Publishers, Columbia, Ohio, 1995). Briefly, the letters and letter combinations
have the following values in Kalderash Vlax: [j] is like English “y,” [c] like
“ts,” [š] like “sh,” […] and [tj] both like “ch,” [ń] like “s” in
“pleasure,” [dń] like [ń] with the tongue curled back, […h] like [š]
with the tongue curled back, [dj] like English “j,” [r] a flapped or trilled
“r” as in Scottish English, [rr] a throat “r” as in French, [x] like “ch” in
German “Achtung.” [v] sounds like [w] for many
speakers. The stress-bearing vowel is marked with a grave accent.
Abjŕv “wedding,”
pl. abjavŕ. Also bjav
Aměra Oath
taken at the beginning of a kris, var. of next.
Amrŕn, Armŕn “curse,” pl. armŕja, amrěja
Anŕv gadńikanň Non-Romani name for use in dealings
with the outside world. This may be an
arbitrary
choice, or may be an anglicizing (hispanizing, etc.) of the Romani
name,
thus o Stanko le Mi…osko might call himself “Stan Mitchell” in
English.
An
individual may have several anavŕ gadńikanč, as well
as a nickname (used
only
within the community).
Anŕv rromanň Romani
name. Amongst the Vlax, q.v.
this consists of a given name, plus a
patronymic,
plus a matronymic, plus the name of the clan affiliation, thus o
Stŕnko
le Mi…ňsko la Geńŕko ŕnda le Papinčšti věca translates as
“Stanko,
son of Mi…o, son of Geńa, of the Papinešti clan.” In ordinary discourse, only
the
given name and the patronymic are used.
Angloromani Variety
of restructured Romani spoken by Romanichals in Britain, North
America, Australia and elsewhere,
consisting of Romani words in an English-
language
grammatical structure. Called pogadi
jib or rumnis by its speakers.
Anglo-Romany The
inflected dialect of Romani spoken in England until the turn of the
present
century, and in the United States until the 1950s.
Ansurimč “Married,” of a man. Vlax only.
Arxentěnurja Vlax
in North America whose ancestors migrated via Argentina.
Bŕjo “trouble”
Bajur, bajour Misspellings
and mispronunciations of buńň, q.v., popularized by a 1950s
Broadway
stage production.
Bangjarŕv “I accuse,” also
rrestisŕvav, purrěv
Barň See Rrom barň.
Bashaldň Name of a Romani group
originating in Hungary, lit. “musician”.
Pl. Bašaldč
Baulo Angloromani q.v.
word meaning “pig;” slang for “policeman.”
Pronounced “bŕwlo.”
Balň in Common Romani.
Baxt “luck, fortune,
fate”; also surru…imňs.
Bčda “trouble, problems.”
Bedŕko “troublemaker;
troublesome.” Pl. bedŕ…a.
Beng “devil.”
Bčshiben Word
used in Northern Romani dialects equivalent to kris; lit. “sitting.”
Bezčx “Sin, gross
wrongdoing.”
Bibŕxt “misfortune.”
Biběo Term of direct
address to female elder (< bibě “aunt”).
Bikinimŕski
hertěja “contract for sale
(document).”
Bipatjivalň “dishonorable;”
“dishonorable man.” Pronounced bipakivalň in
Russian Kalderash Vlax.
Biprindńaripč “neglect,
ignoring.”
Blakbolimč “shunned by the community”
(< Eng. “blackball(ed)”)
Blokimč “shunned by the
community” (< Eng. “block(ed)”)
Bolimč “shunned by the
community” (< Eng. “(black)ball(ed)”)
Bolimňs “baptism.”
Borě “daughter in law;
new bride.”
Bori ladge-up Angloromani phrase meaning
“disgrace,” Common Romani barň ladńŕv. See ladń, ladńajmňs
Butjŕki hertěja “contract for work (document)”
Buńň “a
pouch.” This is used in a confidence
trick also called buńo, involving
the exchanging of money for cut up paper.
Pl. buńurja.
…apladň “mentally impaired;
mentally-impaired male.”
Cepenimňs “deadlock, stalemate,” at a
kris.
Cčrxa Among Lovŕra, the
name used for clan; the equivalent of věca, literally
“tent.” See also šŕtra.
…a…imňs “the
truth.”
…haj “unmarried Romani
female,” (as opposed to raklě, q.v.).
A female is
referred to …haj whatever he
age if she is unmarried. A
25-year-old
woman (in non-Romani terms) is still a …haj, while a married girl of twelve has become a Rromně.
…havň “unmarried Romani male,” (as opposed to raklň, q.v.)
…hej Vlax dialectal
variant of …haj.
Chor “to
steal” (Angloromani).
Choring “stealing”
(Angloromani).
Choring mush “thief” (Angloromani).
Chovihŕni “a witch,” Angloromani
dialect. See …oxani.
„inasŕra The eve before a slŕva,
Kalderaš Vlax dialect.
„inavŕs “we agree upon, decide;”
also, “we make an offer”
„inavipč “agreement, negotiation;
decision; an offer.”
„hinčl (e) kris “sentence, condemn”
Civilians A
term sometimes applied by American Vlax and Romanies in Slovenia to the
non-Romani population.
„or “thief”
„orŕv “I steal”
„oxaně “a witch,” Vlax
dialect. Also pron. …oxajě.
„urŕri “member of a nŕcija
of Rrom,” q.q.v., pl. …urŕra.
Dadčski dej “paternal grandmother”
Dŕki dej “maternal grandmother”
Dŕrro “dowry, given at Vlax
wedding.”
Das A
non-Romani person, in some southern European dialects of Romani, fem. dasně.
Del “God.” Also Devčl.
Den kris “they are holding a
kris,” q.v.; “they are bringing judgement.”
Devčl var. of Del, q.v.
Dědikai,
Dědikoi impolite term used by
Romanichals for individual having just one Romani
parent.
Diklň “scarf,” worn at the
neck or on the head. Also distributed
at an abjav. Pl. diklč.
Also diklorrň.
Dinň Devlčstar “mentally deficient male,” lit.
“God-given.” Fem. dině-Devlčstar.
Divŕno “conversation, discussion, advice session,” preferred to a kris as
a means of settling a dispute. “maj fedčr te huladjňn sar amalŕ and’ekh divŕno, de sar dušmŕja and’ekh kris,” “it is better
to part as friends from a divano, than as enemies from a kris.”
Diviněv “I advise, I discuss.”
Dji, odjě, gi Life
force, “soul.”
Domba name
applied by academics to the hypothesized pre-exodus population(s) in India who
came to constitute the Romani people.
Doš “guilt, fault.”
Došalň “guilty”
Drab “potion, medicine,
drug.”
Drabarŕv “I apply medicine, I
heal.” Also, “I divine, I heal
spiritually”
Drabarně “female diviner.” In English commonly called a “reader,” and “advisor”
or a “fortune teller.” See gi…isvŕra.
Drabčngro “physician, pharmacist,” in
northern Romani dialects.
Dukŕto American Vlax word for “lawyer,”
also avdukŕto. From var. European
forms such as advokat, with metathesis.
Pl. dukŕturja.
Dukker “predict the future,” Angloromani
form of Common Romani durikerŕv,
q.v.
Dukkering “divining, predicting the
future.” Angloromani.
Durikerŕv “I predict the future”
(from e.g. reading palms, tealeaves, coffee grounds,
etc.).
Durjardň Banished
from the community. Lit. “Sent afar.”
Dńukěv “I confront.”
Familěja, famělja “extended family.”
Farme…ěv “I
curse, put a spell on.” Vlax Romani.
Gadńě “adult
female non-Romani person,” pl. gadńja.
Gadńikaně baxt “bad luck,” lit.
“non-Romani luck.”
Gadńikanň “non-Romani,”
adjectival form of gadńň.
Gadńikanň dukŕto “a non-Romani
lawyer.”
Gadńň “adult
male non-Romani person,” pl. gadńč.
Gŕlbeno “gold coin” (lit.
“yellow”); see next.
Gŕlbi Plural
of prec., gold coins traditionally worn as a necklace or as buttons, as
personal wealth, there being no access to banks, and their being available for
paying/bribing officials.
Gaver “policeman,”
Angloromani (also gav-mush, musker).
Gčro A
non-Romani person in Angloromani ((var. gčra); gorň in other dialects).
Gi…isvŕra “woman
who claims to predict the future.” Vlax
Romani. For some speakers there is a distinction between a gi…isvŕra and a drabarně, the former being a hustler, the
latter being more “professional” and proud of her skills. From a Romanian word meaning “guess.”
Glŕba “a fine.” Paid, though not exclusively, as the result
of a decision made
by the krisnitňrja.
Glaběv “I fine.”
Gomě
A non-Romani person, in some southern European Romani dialects.
Gonimč
“banished, driven out of the community.” This does not necessarily have to be
because the offender is ritually polluted.
See marimč.
Gonimňs “expulsion from the
community.”
Grčkurja Vlax
in America whose ancestors migrated via Greece.
Gypsy Common English word for person of
Romani descent, derived from Renaissance English ’gypcian, i.e.
“Egyptian,” it being supposed that Egypt was the country of origin of the
Roma. The term is intensely disliked by
some Roma, and tolerated by others. The
persistence of its use in English lies in the fact that there is no single
Romani equivalent which is agreed upon by all Romani groups (see Rrom). The policy of most Romani organizations is
to use their self-ascripted ethnonym (Sěnti, Rrňma, Kŕŕle, etc.) and to avoid
the use of all externally-created labels (“Gypsy,” “Gitano,” “Úigan,” etc.). One
suggestion has been to employ the adjectival form Romani, plural Romanies, as a
general noun, an alternative already in use in the British media. If the word
“Gypsy” is used in English, it should be written with a proper noun’s initial
capital letter.
Hezbjŕna “lesbian”
Hokano baro “technique of
extorting money from a victim by deceit,” lit. “big lie.” A nonce-term coined by George Borrow and
supposedly of Spanish Romani origin (see Lavo-lil, below), the correct
Angloromani for this being “bori hokaben” or variants (see penning hokabens).
Inkŕlka “trespassing.”
Inkalkěv “I am trespassing.”
Jŕdo “world outside of
the Romani environment.” Sometimes used
to mean “hell.”
Jakhalň “the evil eye,” although this word
may also mean “attractive.”
Jenisch A
population of mixed origins inhabiting Germany, Switzerland, Belgium,
Switzerland, the Netherlands and eastern France. Probably originally consisting of displaced citizens of Hanseatic
Germany, later joined by Roma, Jews and others. Today they consititute a distinct ethnic population with its own
speech and family names. Also spelt
Yéniche.
Kŕko Term
of direct address to respected male elder (< kak “uncle”). Also Nŕno.
Kalderŕš Name
applied to several Vlax-speaking Romani groups, and their dialects. The term
was originally occupational, meaning “coppersmith.” Eastern and Western Kalderaš populations (in e.g. Russia
and Serbia) differ considerably in speech and custom. Pl. Kalderŕša
Kapŕra “wedding gift.”
Ketrěnca apron worn over
traditional skirt, symbolizing modesty.
Kidimňs “meeting.” Also kidinimňs.
Kinimŕski
hertěja “contract for a sale (document).”
Kintŕla “spiritual
balance, harmony.” the Romani world
view is a bipolar one, the universe falling naturally into pairs, though not
all of them the antithesis of the other: Rrom-gadńo,
clean-defiled, God -the devil, male-female, luck-misfortune, upper body-lower
body, sexual being-non-sexual being (see phurimňs) and so on. Balance is upset by not observing the
appropriate behavior. Also kuntŕla,
kintuimňs. Cf. kintŕri.
Kintŕri var. of kintŕla, q.v.,
also kuntŕri.
Kir(i)vě “godmother.”
Kir(i)vň “godfather.”
Kris, krěsi The
primary meaning of this word is “law” or “judgement;” thus e Devlčski kris,
“God’s law,” e manuščski kris “the law of man,” but it is most familiarly
associated by Romanologists with the tribunal or hearing which is part of the
internal legal system amongst Vlax Rroma.
For some people kris is used to refer only to Romani law, while zakňno, q.v.,
is used to refer to non-Romani law. The
word is from the Greek κρίσις. It may be a retention of
the Indian nasab or panchayat, modified by a similar social
structure found among Balkan villagers.
Krěsi in Polish and Russian Vlax.
There are similar judiciary councils of elders among other Romani groups,
though not referred to by this name.
Kris bandjě a kris resulting in a
negative decision by the krisnitorja.
Kris …a…ě a
kris resulting in a positive decision by the krisnitorja.
Kris Rromaně the tribunal or hearing which is
part of the internal legal system amongst
Rroma.
Krisŕki …hib oratorical style of speaking Romani,
at krisŕ but also heard at weddings, funerals and other formal occasions. It is not appropriate for younger people to
use this register.
Krisŕki
putjčrja Power of the Romani tribunal
Krisŕko “legal.”
Krisŕko kher “courthouse.” Usu. in a non-Romani context.
Krisŕlo raj “judge.”
Krisimč “judged, sentenced.”
Krisěv “I sentence, I judge,
I condemn.”
Krisisardilčm “I was sentenced, I was
condemned.” Also krisisŕjlem.
Krisnitňri “judge at a kris;” also
kriznitňri, krisitňri
Kukaštŕra “lavatory,” an impolite
word. Thňjla in American Vlax (<
“toilet”).
Kumpŕnja a work alliance, of
colleagues, or family members, or members of
unrelated Romani groups, which may last for just one job, or be of more or less
permanent duration. Also pron.
kumpaněja.
Kununimč “married.” Vlax.
Kununimňs “wedding ceremony.” Vlax.
Kununěl “he performs marriage.” Vlax.
Kununisŕvel “he gets married.”
Vlax.
Kůrva “immoral woman; adulterous wife.” Vlax word, also, xŕndra, lubně, lugně,
bčštija.
Kurvŕri A man who solicits the company of
immoral women; a whoremonger.
Kutŕri “whatsisname,
so-and-so,” applied to a male.
Kutŕrka “whatsername,
so-and-so,” applied to a female.
Ladń shame,
disgrace, immodesty, immorality.
Ladńajmňs shame,
disgrace, immodesty, immorality, Vlax dialect.
Ladńŕv shame,
disgrace, immodesty, immorality, Vlax dialect.
Lavo-lil The
name of a book on the dialect of the Romanichals, q.v., by 19th Century
British writer George Borrow, lit. “word-book.” Despite its many errors, it has been the most widely consulted
work on the Romani language, even though it is of minimal value for the
understanding of any other dialect, especially Vlax, q.v.
Lěra Fifty
dollars. Pandń lěri, $250.
Lovŕri A nŕcija, q.v., of the
Rrom, q.v., pl. Lovŕra
Lovč “money,” a plural noun.
Lubně the same as kůrva, q.v.
Ma…vŕnka a Ma…vŕno woman, pl. Ma…vŕn…i
Ma…vŕno One of the Vlax-speaking
nŕciji, q.v., originating in the region of Ma…va in eastern Serbia, though one suggested
etymology is < Serbian ma… “sword”). Well represented in Australia and the
Americas, but not in Europe itself. Pl.
Ma…vŕja.
Magerdipč Ritual
pollution, defilement; word used in Central Romani dialects and in Polish and
Russian Vlax.
Magerdň Ritually
polluted or defiled. Word used in
Central Romani dialects and in Polish and Russian Vlax.
Mahŕla “district,
neighborhood, Gypsy quarter.” Ma…vano word (see also pňga).
Makhardň Ritually
polluted or defiled, lit. “smeared,” a reference to menstrual blood.
Mamě kinship
term, “grandmother.”
Manger “lawyer.” Scottish Romani word (rhymes with “hanger”).
Mangimňs “begging.” Vlax.
Manůš a
Romani population mainly inhabiting France, and closely related to the Sěnti
and (historically) the Romanichals.
Lit. “men.”
Marimč Vlax
term meaning ritually defiled or polluted, from the Greek meaning “to make
dirty.” Unlike pokelimč, this has the
additional meaning of “banished from the community because of defilement.” Not the same as gonimč, q.v. Var. maxrimč, marimč.
Mŕrtja “spirit of death”
Mŕrturo a “witness,” Kalderaš
Vlax dialect
Melalň “dirty,” also
“shameful.”
Meljardň “made dirty.”
Meretimč “married,” of a
woman. Vlax only.
Mňkadi Angloromani form of
makhadň, q.v.
Mong “beg,” in
Angloromani.
Mulň “dead;” “the dead;” “spirits of the
dead.” Pl. mulč. The mulč remain in the vicinity of the
family, and keep watch over the activities of family members. They cause prikŕza, q.v., a signal
that an individual has upset the balance required by rromaněja, q.v.
Musker “policeman.” Angloromani.
Nŕcija One
of the divisions of the Romani population calling itself Rrom, q.v., all
of which speak dialects of Vlax Romani and descend from the slaveholding
principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia.
They include the Kalderŕša, the Lovŕra, the Ma…vŕja and the „urŕra, among others. For
some speakers, this word is used to mean these divisions themselves.
Nahěja The
geographical area of jurisdiction associated with the šŕto, q.v. Ma…vano Vlax word.
Našŕv “we flee.” Sometimes a betrothed
couple will “flee” from their families and consummate the union before the
abjŕv, thereby reducing the dŕrro, q.v.
done as an economy measure.
Našalŕs “we
abduct,” also našadarŕs. Sometimes the
borě, q.v., will be “kidnapped” by members of the groom’s family;
variation of the above.
Našipč, našimňs “elopement.”
NińBko A mattock or poleaxe,
double-headed (axe and hammer) barň’s symbol of
authority. Pronounced njŕko, nijŕko in the Balkan dialects.
Njŕmo “relative,” pl. njŕmurja. Vlax Romani.
Ňfisa “fortune-telling
parlor.” American Vlax (< Eng.
“office”).
Paplbno “male
homosexual”(slang)
Patjěv “honor, respect,
esteem.” Kalderash var. ‘ pa(j)kěv.
Patjivalň “honorable.” Kalderash var. ‘ pakivalň.
Pal Angloromani
form of Common Romani phral meaning “brother.”
This has entered colloquial English, meaning “friend.”
Pŕle …ědo Sinti
(q.v.) Romani equivalent of magerdň, q.v., lit. “put back.” Also …ědo pŕle.
Paramě…a “story,”
pl. paramě…i
Parrujmňs “a
barter, an exchange.”
Parruvŕv “I trade, barter.”
Pŕrtija “Share, portion of earnings,” pl.
pčrci. Vlax dialect.
Pato “bed,”
a Vlax word adopted from Romanian. Use
of this word is considered indelicate in mixed company, the euphemism than
(lit. “place”) being preferred.
Patrěn “leaf,”
pl. patri(n)ja. Also “page” and “trail
sign(s).” In Angloromani,
pŕteran.
Pe…ŕta “brooch, badge,”
formerly worn on the breast by the Rrom Baro to indicate his status.
Pekŕla “impurity,” var. of
pekelimňs.
Penning hokabens “lying, telling lies,” Angloromani.
Phandadň1 “arrested, jailed.”
Phandadň2 “off limits, spoken-for,” of
a town “owned” by a family or věca, q.v.
Phurě “a female elder.”
Phurě daj “grandmother,” Northern
Romani. Equiv. ‘ mamě in Vlax Romani.
Phurimňs “age.” A distinction is made between children and
post-climacteric adults on the one hand, both outside of child-producing age,
and persons in their young and middle adult years, who are able to reproduce
and who have a “sexual” identity. The
judgement of an older person (e.g. at a kris) is considered to be more
balanced because it is less subjective and emotional than that of a younger
adult.
Phurň “a male elder.”
Phurň them “old
country.” American Rroma more commonly
refer to any country in Europe, and to Europe generally, as the themŕ
“countries.”
Pirrěv “I inform
(police).” Also pupuěv.
Pirrimňs “gossip, slander;
informing (to police).”
Po…itajimňs “dignity,
esteem.”
Po…itajimňs rromanň “high
esteem within the romani community.” See also rrůndo.
Podŕrka “gift, present.”
Pňdja1 “slip, underskirt,” cf.
teluně rrňtja.
Pňdja2 “menstruation.”
Pňga “district,
neighborhood, area of jurisdiction.”
Pokŕla “sentence” (decided
upon by the krisnitňrja).
Pokelimč “defiled, impure,” also pekelimč.
Pokelimč and’o
muj “foul-mouthed.”
Pokelimňs “defilement,
impurity,” also pekelimč.
Pomŕna “a wake.” Pl. pomčni.
Pomenjŕke cŕlja “clothing worn by the one representing the deceased at a
pomŕna, q.v.”
Porradě “deflowered,” see next.
Porradě beščl (for females) “she is sitting
immodestly with the legs apart,” lit. “spread
apart.”
Porrajmňs the Romani Holocaust
(1933-1945), also Barň Porrajmňs, lit. The
“great devouring, raping (of the Romani people)” See also Uštavipč.
Potjinŕv “I
pay.” Kalderash var. pokinŕv.
Potjinimňs “payment.” Pronounced pokinimňs in Kalderash Vlax
Romani.
Prŕzniko “a religious festival or
feast.”
Prikŕza “retribution,”
misfortune or accident as a result of upsetting the balance of kintŕla,
q.v., through not observing right conduct (see vňrta
Rromaně fňrma). sometimes translated as
“bad luck.”
Primŕko, premŕko Male equivalent of a borě, q.v., son-in-law obliged to
join wife’s family, usually for economic reasons. This status is a shameful one.
Public In
American Vlax English, this applies only to the Vlax population at large, not
to the non-Romani population.
Pupuěv “I inform
(police).” Also pirrěv.
Pupuimňs “gossip, slander; informing
(to police).”
Raklě “non-Romani girl,”
as opposed to a …hej/…haj.
Raklň “non-Romani boy,” as
opposed to a …havo.
Rňma A
word being increasingly (and inaccurately) used in English as a singular or
plural noun, or even as an adjective to mean “Gypsy,” thus “he is a Roma,”
“Roma language.” In Romani itself,
Rromŕ is a plural subject case masculine noun only.
Romančs sometimes used to refer to
the Romani language. See Rromančs.
Rňmani The
English adjective (sometimes spelled Romany) for “Gypsy,” thus “the Romani
people,” “the Romani language.” The word
is also used by itself to refer to the language (see also Romanes), and
sometimes as a noun to mean a Romani person (“they are Romanies”).
Rromaně butjě Romani matters, typical Romani
affairs.
Rňmanichal Name
of a division of the Romani migration which entered France and then
Britain. British Romanichals have
migrated to all parts of the English-speaking world. In France spelt romanitchel.
Romer’d Angloromani word meaning
“married.” Romerdň in other non- Vlax
dialects. See ansurimč, kununimč,
meretimč.
Rrŕjo “heaven.”
Rrŕso Vlax
word meaning “race,” sometimes applied to distinguish Romani populations (as a
Rrŕso) from other non-Romani rrŕsurja (pl.).
Rrestisajmos Accusation.
Rrestisŕvav “I accuse,” also bangjarŕv,
purrěv.
Rroběja “jail.” American Vlax. Original European Vlax meaning was “slavery.”
Rrňbo “prisoner.” American Vlax. Original European Vlax meaning was “slave.”
Rrom krisňngo A
Rrom who attends krisŕ as a krisnitňri, reputed for his fairness and whose
participation is frequently sought.
Rrom krisŕko A krisnitňri.
Rrom barň The leader of a Romani
community.
Rrom “person
of Romani descent.” However, because of
their isolation, the Romani populations who were held in slavery for between
five and six centuries in Romania have come to regard themselves alone as being
the “real” Rrom, distinct from other non-Rrom Gypsy populations such as the
Sěnti or the Bašaldč. Nevertheless all
non-Rrom populations refer to their culture and language as Romani, and use the
word Rom (rather than the specifically Vlax Rrom) to mean either “Gypsy” or
“husband.” Pl. either Rrom or Rromŕ.
Rrom amerikŕ…a Roma from the
United States.
Rrom kanadŕ…a Roma from
Canada.
Rrom krisŕko Experienced
older Rom with a reputation for fairness in serving as a krisnitňri, q.v. Pl.
Rrom(ŕ) krisŕnge.
Rrom mesik(an)ŕ…a Mexican Vlax Rom
(pl.).
Rrom themčnge Rroma from Europe.
Rromŕle …havŕle Term of
address to a group, lit. “married men, unmarried men.”
Rromanč …havorrč “Romani boys,”
label of emphatic affirmation (because of the intentional
tautology).
Rromančs the
adverb derived from Rromaně, meaning “Gypsily, in the Romani way.” In Romani this grammatical form is used when
referring to the language, thus vrakerŕv Rromančs “I speak in the Romani way,” i.e.
“I speak Romani.” Using this adverbial
form in English as though it were a noun is incorrect.
Rromanestŕn The notional homeland of the
Romani people.
Rromaně The
singular subject-case adjective derived from Rrom. Its use (as Romaně) for the name of the language in English
derives from its function as a feminine singular adjective in Rromaně …hib “Romani language.”
Rromaně fňrma “correct
behavior, behavior according to Rromaněja.
Rromaněja “Romani
culture, behavior and values; “Romaniness.”
Any behavior likely to defile or pollute, and therefore disturb kintŕla
and bring prikŕza and bibŕxt, is gadńikaněja, or
“non-Romani ways.” The form is Vlax
(-ěja < Romanian), in other dialects it is Romanipč(n).
Rromně “married Romani female.”
Rrůndo “rank, status.” Dav tut and’o
rrůndo “I hold you in esteem.”
Rupuně rovlě Clan
leader’s baton. Vlax, lit.
Asilver rod.”
SavBpto “sacrifice”
(Machvanitsko)
Selěja “bridal veil,” also
vŕla
Sčmno Same
as rupuně rovlě, q.v., lit. “Symbol, sign.” Vlax Romani.
Sěnto member
of a division of the Romani migration which moved into northern Europe, pl. Sěnti. Today, Sěnti are found from France to Russia, and as far south as
Austria and northern Italy. They are
particularly associated with Germany, and suffered the greatest losses there in
the Holocaust. Also Cěnto.
Slŕva amongst Vlax Rroma,
a saint’s day feast, such as St. George, St. Anne, etc.
Solŕx “an oath.” Vov del solŕx “he takes an oath.”
Stŕgo “wedding staff.”
Stŕriben “jail,” Angloromani
dialect. Also Stěrapen.
Surru…imňs “intent.”
Surru…ěv “I
intend (to do something).”
Svatŕš “spokesman, speaker”
Svŕto “word.”
Svedňko “a witness,” Ma…vŕno Vlax dialect. also
svidčtelo
Svidetěv “I bear witness” at a
kris.
Šŕto in American Vlax, a
local leader or representative. From E.
“(big)shot.”
the wife of such an individual is a šatŕjka.
Šŕtra “clan,
vica,” term used among Polish and Russian Vlax speakers; lit. “awning, tent,
canopy,” the meaning it retains
in Kalderash; Cf. cčrxa.
Šerčngro “head man, leader,” in
Northern Romani dialects.
Šerčskro “head man, leader,” in
Norhtern Romani dialects.
Šerň Rrom “head man, leader.” Common term in European Romani; usu. šato In
North America. Also šorň Rrom.
Strŕńa “Banishment.” Vlax dialect.
Strańimč Banished from the
community; Vlax dialect.
Šůniben “a hearing.” Northern dialects.
Tčkteri “detective.” American Vlax word.
Tekterěca “female detective.”
American Vlax word.
Teljŕri “dollar.” Glŕbi, dŕrrurja, q.v.
etc., are paid in dollars counted in lěri (see lěra).
Teluně rrňtja “slip,
petticoat.” This garment is “unclean”
and can be used to disgrace and defile a man if it is brought into contact with
his head. Also teluvě rrňtja, telalujě
rrňtja. Cf. pňdja.
Than Euphemism
for “bed.” Lit. “place” (though
possibly from a separate Indic root).
Tharajimňs “deception.”
Tharŕv “I mislead.”
Úigan Romanian word for
Rrom, considered extremely derogatory.
Pl. Űigani.
Tomůja “incense (frankincense),
used for purifying premises.”
Traš’d “afraid,” in
Angloromani (Common Romani trašanň).
Trušůl “cross.”
Turvinipč “advice,” also sovčto,
divinimňs
Uštavipč A
word for the Holocaust , lit. “upheaval.”
Vŕla “bridal veil,” also
selěja.
Vč…era “eve
before a slŕva,” Ma…vano Vlax dialect. See „inasŕra, đjno.
Velinimňs “slander.”
Veliněv “I slander.”
Věca “clan,” among some Vlax-speaking groups. A věca may descend from a common ancestor, or from a common
occupational group during slavery, or it may have separated from another věca
which had grown too big. From a Slavic
word meaning “vine” or “offshoot.” Pl.
věci. See also cčxra.
Vlax Designation
of a division of the Romani population which traces its ancestry in Europe to
the former slaveholding principalities of Wallachia (hence Vlax) and Moldavia,
now Romania. Also written Vlach, though
this spelling can also refer to a separate and unrelated population of
indigenous Romanian origin. See Rrom.
Vňrta Rromaně fňrma The
correct observance of Romani behavior and ritual necessary to maintain
spiritual cleanliness and balance, and to avoid marimos. lit.
“right Romani way.”
Vortŕko “male partner; work
partner,” pl. vortŕ…a
Vozdčla “trust.”
Vudńilč “being in debt.” Me dav lčske vudńilč “I make him a loan,” me lem vudńilč “I
borrowed.” Also udńilč.
Vudńilimňs “a
loan; a debt.”
Vuńjardň “(declared)
clean,” at a kris, after earlier having being declared marimč.
Vuńň “clean,”
both physically and/or spiritually.
Xalň A
non-Romani person, in Sinti and other Northern European dialects of Romani.
Xanaměk what
each spouse’s father is to the other: in some dialects, brother or sister in
law. Pl. xanamikŕ.
Xoxajimňs “a lie.”
Xoxamně solŕx “a false oath.”
Xoxamnň “a liar.”
Xoraxanň “Muslim
(especially a Balkan Turk); member of an Islamic Romani population.” Pl. xoraxanč.
Xoxajipč “a lie; deceit.” Also xoxajimňs.
Yéniche The French spelling of
Jenisch, q.v.
Zakňno “law,” sometimes
non-Romani law in particular, as opposed to kris.
Pl. zakňja or zakňnurja.
đandŕri “policeman.” Vlax Romani. Pl. đandŕrja.
Žůno “evening before a
holiday;” Žůno Kričunňsko,
“Christmas Eve.”