This is all I've got.
Three Gypsy tribes exited Northern India about the 5th century, two were language related (classed by sister). They spoke the ben and phen dialects. They are thought to have wandered through Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran before entering Mesopotamia / Eastern Europe in about the eleventh century and becoming the Rom(ani), Lom and Dom.
We can assume the Gypsies were proficient in beading, sewing, building, metal-work, wood-work, smithing, tailoring, shoe-making, decorative painting, making medicinal used of roadside plants, star-gazing for navigational reasons, communicating with other travellers, bartering in foreign currencies, paying roadside taxes, rearing animals, teaching their children - and reading.
But there has been no record found of what they might have read.
This is where Master Voynich sticks up his hand and waves it with great vigour, like the child in the back of the class who knows he's got the right answer.
Maybe.
A History of the Gypsies of Eastern Europe and Russia - David. M. Crowe. 1994
Paraphrased from the Preface:
The author's scientific and historic approach has enabled him to not only explore the negative aspects of the Roma's relationships with non-Gypsies, but to also look at the other side of the coin, and examine the positive contributions they made in the culture and literature of the region.
Literature.
It was only in the 12th century that confirmed historical documents place a Roma presence in eastern Europe.
Documents.
Detailed allusions during this period come from Croatian and Hungarian Slovak records.
Records.
Quote: "These allusions to Gypsies suggest they had a rich life in the republic."
"There is no record of any written (Gypsy) language(s), although there are several suggestions for Romani, including one based on Devanagari."
Ian Hancock, Professor, Department of Linguistics, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas.
There is no universal written Romani language in use by all Roma. However, the codification of a constructed, standardized dialect is currently in progress by members of the Linguistic Commission of the International Romani Union.
Kemal Vural Tarlan – authors the Middle East Gypsies website
“It is now, we believe, generally admitted that Hindostan is the natural country of the Gypsies; and of the three dialects generally used in that country, the language of the Surat, the ancient Sarashtra, resembles the most nearly that used by his people (sic).”
Deardon’s Miscellany
The book is on order.
Thanks for the welcome and participation.
Pete (tomsbytwo.com) I was told if you want to plug your website on a discussion it's manners to do it at the end rather than the beginning.
Three Gypsy tribes exited Northern India about the 5th century, two were language related (classed by sister). They spoke the ben and phen dialects. They are thought to have wandered through Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran before entering Mesopotamia / Eastern Europe in about the eleventh century and becoming the Rom(ani), Lom and Dom.
We can assume the Gypsies were proficient in beading, sewing, building, metal-work, wood-work, smithing, tailoring, shoe-making, decorative painting, making medicinal used of roadside plants, star-gazing for navigational reasons, communicating with other travellers, bartering in foreign currencies, paying roadside taxes, rearing animals, teaching their children - and reading.
But there has been no record found of what they might have read.
This is where Master Voynich sticks up his hand and waves it with great vigour, like the child in the back of the class who knows he's got the right answer.
Maybe.
~~
A History of the Gypsies of Eastern Europe and Russia - David. M. Crowe. 1994
Paraphrased from the Preface:
The author's scientific and historic approach has enabled him to not only explore the negative aspects of the Roma's relationships with non-Gypsies, but to also look at the other side of the coin, and examine the positive contributions they made in the culture and literature of the region.
Literature.
It was only in the 12th century that confirmed historical documents place a Roma presence in eastern Europe.
Documents.
Detailed allusions during this period come from Croatian and Hungarian Slovak records.
Records.
Quote: "These allusions to Gypsies suggest they had a rich life in the republic."
~~
Notable Quotes"There is no record of any written (Gypsy) language(s), although there are several suggestions for Romani, including one based on Devanagari."
Ian Hancock, Professor, Department of Linguistics, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas.
There is no universal written Romani language in use by all Roma. However, the codification of a constructed, standardized dialect is currently in progress by members of the Linguistic Commission of the International Romani Union.
Kemal Vural Tarlan – authors the Middle East Gypsies website
“It is now, we believe, generally admitted that Hindostan is the natural country of the Gypsies; and of the three dialects generally used in that country, the language of the Surat, the ancient Sarashtra, resembles the most nearly that used by his people (sic).”
Deardon’s Miscellany
The book is on order.
Thanks for the welcome and participation.
Pete (tomsbytwo.com) I was told if you want to plug your website on a discussion it's manners to do it at the end rather than the beginning.