CHAPTER V.
_The Gipseys come from Hindostan_.
IT is justly asserted, that one of the most infallible methods of determining the origin of these people with certainty, would be the discovery of a country where their language was in common use. The first and most necessary examination here, therefore, will be, to find out the part of the globe in which the Gipseys’ language is that of the natives: and this country is no other than Hindostan. But before we endeavour to prove this assertion, by a comparison of the Hindostan and Gipsey languages, it will be proper to premise something, which will serve as an introduction of considerable weight. It is an article of intelligence, to be found in the Vienna Gazette, and comes from a Captain Szekely von Doba, a man who was thinking of nothing less than of searching for the Gipseys and their language in the East Indies.
“In the year 1763, on the 6th of November,” says Captain Szekely, “a printer, whose name was Stephen Pap Szathmar Nemethi, came to see me. Talking upon various subjects, we at last fell upon that of the Gipseys; and my guest related to me the following anecdote, from the mouth of a preacher of the reformed church, Stephen Vali, at Almasch in the county of Komora.—When the said Vali studied at the university of Leyden, he was intimately acquainted with some young Malabars, of whom three are obliged constantly to study there, nor can they return home till relieved by three others. Having observed that their native language bore a great affinity to that spoken by the Gipseys, he availed himself of the opportunity to note down, from themselves, upwards of one thousand words, together with their significations. They assured him, at the same time, that upon their island was a tract of land, or province, called Czigania (but it is not laid down on the map). After Vali was returned from the university, he informed himself, among the Raber Gipseys, concerning the meaning of his Malabar words, which they explained without trouble or hesitation.”
In this anecdote, every thing seems to happen by chance; even to the learned man who published it in the Gazette, it appeared as if fallen from the clouds, and entirely oversets his system; for he was the person, mentioned above, who broached the opinion of the Gipseys being Mongol Tartars. So much more weighty, therefore, and unexceptionable, are the hints it throws out, for the discovery of the Gipseys’ mother country, by means of their language.
The consideration that, according to this anecdote, the Gipsey language is declared to be Malabar, and we have pronounced it Hindostan, does not create any difficulty, although they are very different from each other. Probably the three young men, from whom Vali took down his words, were Bramins’ sons, whose language was that proper to the learned Bramins, or the Shanscritt. But the affinity between this and the common language spoken by the people of Hindostan, is the same as between pure Latin and modern Italian. It was therefore very natural that the Raber Gipseys should understand, if not all, at least the greatest part of the words which Vali repeated to them.
However, we do not want this come-off. The difficulty will subside without it, when we examine the connection between the Gipsey and Hindostan languages. The next thing, therefore, is to give a list of words from both.
NUMERALS.
Gipsey. Hindostan. English. _Ick_; _Ek_ _Ek_ One _Duj_; _Doj_ _Du_ Two _Trin_; _Tri_ _Tin_ Three _Schtar_; _Star_ _Tschar_ Four _Pantsch_; _Pansch_ _Pansch_ Five _Tschowe_; _Schow_; _Sof_ _Tscho_ Six _Efta_ _Hefta_; Sat Seven Ochto Aute Eight Enja; Eija Now Nine _Desch_; _Des_ _Dos_; _Des_ Ten _Besch_; _Bisch_; _Bis_ _Bjs_ Twenty Trianda; Tranda Tjs Thirty Starweldesch; Saranda Tschaljs Forty Pantschwerdesch; Panda Petschass Fifty Pontsandis Tschowerdesch; Schoandis Sytt Sixty Estawerdesch Syttr Seventy Ochtowerdesch Asseh Eighty Eijawerdesch; Enjandis Nubbeh Ninety Tschèl; Schèl; Sel Souw Hundred Deschwerschel; _Ekezeros_ _Ekhazar_; _Hazar_ Thousand O Gluno; a Jékto Pajla The First O _Duito_; a _Duito_ _Dusera_ The Second O _Trito_ _Tjssera_ The Third _O Schtarto_ _Tscharta_ The Fourth
NOUNS SUBSTANTIVE.
Gipsey. Hindustan. English. Tziro Wakht Time _Bersch_ _Burz_; Sal A Year _Manet_; _Meina_ A Month Tschon _Diwes_ _Diw_; Rase Day _Ratti_; _Rateh_ Night _Rattgin_; _Rat_ _Feizrile_ _Fazir_; Nur Morning Kurko Etwar Sunday Doga Tschis An Affair; a Thing Kak Tulad; Rykem The Sex Arti Zatt The Sort _Goswro_ _Gustur_; Moffikj The Manner Jek; Otter Tschan; Tukra A Piece Gin Adadah The Number _Dewe_; Khoda; Allah God _Dewel_; _Dewol_; _Dewla_ _Deuw_ _Deuw_; Muret An Idol Bollopen; Boliben Dune The World Mulro Dumm The Spirit Sie; Wode Jan The Soul Trupo; Teschta Dhj; Ang; Hal The Body Shweto; Tscherosz Behescht; Asman Heaven Tserhenje; Tscherhenja Tara A Star _Cham_; _Cam_; _Okam_ _Kam_; Surez The Sun _Schon_; Tschemut; Mrascha _Tschand_ The Moon Prabal Howah The Air _Jag_; _Jak_; _Jago_ _Ag_ Fire _Panj_; _Pango_ _Panj_ Water Pu; Bhu; Pube; Epebu Zemin The Earth Balwal, _Bear_ _Beiar_; Batas The Wind Felhoeschnodi Baddel A Cloud Felheschine Bjdschelj Lightening Tschetogasch Meg Thunder _Brischint_; _Brechindo_ _Birrsat_ Rain Mrascha; _Osch_ Kohassa; _Osh_ The Dew Koeddo Kohassa; Kohol Fog Temm Muluk The Soil Akra Moidan The Field Hedjo _Pahr_ A Mountain _Bar_ Pytter; Kaja A Hillock _Gere_; Wermo _Gerrah_ A Pit Wesch Djp An Island Baro Pani Deriauw The Ocean Sero Dschjl The Sea _Kunara_; Parra _Kinerj_ The Shore _Tato_ Panj; Poschi _Tschata_ Morass; Slough Hani; Foljasi Pohara A Spring _Hanj_; _Hanik_ _Huah_; Koka A Well _Tallo_ _Tallauw_ A Dike Flammus Tjm; Lu Flame Jangar; Angar Koyla Coal Mommli; Mumeli Batthj Light Schik Moil Mud Tschar; Djiplo Rag; Bowus Ashes Mescho Tscuna Chalk _Balu_ _Bull_; Rith Sand _Bàre_; _Bar_ Sanka; Pytter Stone _Wahlin_; Tcheklo _Belun_ Glass Jegekoro bar Patter Flint-stone _Sonnai_; _Sonnikey_; _Suna_ Gold _Schomnakai_ _Rùp_ _Ruppa_ Silver Tzaster; Trascht Luha Iron Tschino Kelley Tin _Molliwo_ _Mulwa_; Sjscha Lead Tzindo rup Parrat Quicksilver _Lohn_; _Lon_ _Nun_ Salt Lonkeren Sura Saltpetre _Kandini_ momelli _Genden_ Sulphur _Char_; _Tschar_; Wira _Gas_ Grass _Jiv_ _Giuw_ Wheat _Gib_; Arpa _Jou_ Barley Tzirja: Pura Ljsun Garlic Purum; Lolipurum Peiaz Onion Schach Kubj Cabbage Hirhil Mytter Peas Dudum Hulla A Gourd _Herbuzho_ _Terbus_ A Melon _Boborka_ _Birka_ A Cucumber Rùk Garsch A Tree _Pabuj_ _Pawug_; Sjuw An Apple _Brohl_ _Prohlo_ A Pear Télel Januwr A Beast Kirmo Kentschuwa A Worm Silk _Rezh_ _Rissem_ Silk Birlin Mumukkj; Schehetkj A Bee Jerni Mum Wax Gwju; Mescho Schahed Honey _Kirja_ _Kiro_; Tschontj An Ant _Jua_; _Tzua_ _Juj_ A Louse _Puzhum_; _Puschan_ _Pjsche_ A Flea _Matschu_; _Matscho_; _Mulo_ _Mutschli_ Fish Alo Bam An Eel _Tschirikli_; _Tschiriklo_ _Tschuri_ A Bird Bischothilo Ghido The Eagle Papin; Papim; Papi Hans A Goose Hiretza; Retschori Buttugh A Duck _Tovadei_ _Tubbuter_; Tschetschlj A Dove Jaros; Garum Unnda An Egg _Baro_ peng; Oroschlana Sjr; Sing The Lion Ru _Bira_; Hundar A Wolf Jùkel; Tzùkel; Juket; Kuttha A Dog Tschokel; Schokel; Tschikel _Schoschi_; _Tschoschai_ _Sassa_; Khurr A Hare _Papinori_ _Baner_ An Ape _Gra_; _Grea_; _Krej_ _Gorra_; Ghassi A Horse _Gratsch_; _Grast_ _Gorra_ A Stallion _Grasnj_; _Graschni_ _Gorrj_ A Mare Dernagresch Batscheru A Foal _Gurrub_; _Guru_; _Gurni_ _Gorna_; Boil An Ox _Guruni_; Kircumni; _Gaj_; Borjuko A Cow Gurongatsch Warjuhilo Batschera A Calf _Bàkera_: _Bakra_; _Bakro_ _Bhjra_; _Bhjri_; Mendha; A Sheep Mendhi Bakero; _Bhara_ dohilo Mendhj batscha A Lamb Jeschingingri; Ketschka _Bukkrj_ A Goat _Balo_; _Bala_ _Pala_; Sur A Swine Bikarisch krohilo Sur A Boar Balóra Surbatscha A Pig Djanba Beng; Mendowk A Frog _Tsap_ _Sarap_ A Snake _Beng_ Guddj A Dragon Kazht; Karscht Lakerj Wood _Tschjlka_; Borka _Tschal_ The Bark _Patrin_ _Pat_ A Leaf Pèperi Mirritz Pepper _Bàl_; _Pàl_ _Bàl_ The Hair Puzhum Ojr Wool Pori Dum The Tail Rat Lohu Blood _Tud_ _Dhud_ Milk _Kjl_ _Kel_; Mukken Butter Kiral; Chiral; Kiras Panjr Cheese _Tulo_ _Tschjli_ Fat _Swa_ _Ansu_ A Tear Mas; Masz Ghost Flesh _Tschero_; _Schero_; _Cheru_ _Ser_ The Head _Aok_; _Jaok_; _Jaka_; Po; _Awk_ The Eye Aran _Kan_ _Kawn_ The Ear _Nàk_ _Nakk_ The Nose _Tscham_ Gal The Cheek _Tchammedini_ Thori A Slap on the Face _Tschor_ _Dharri_ The Beard _Mui_; _Moi_ _Mu_ The Mouth _Dant_ _Dant_ A Tooth _Tschib_; _Tscheb_ _Jibb_ The Tongue Men Gerdhen; Gulla The Neck Dummo Piteh The Back _Andririk_ _Terrik_ The Side Gew; Buhl Tschutter The Behind Kelin Tschatti The Breast Per Piteh The Belly Mossin; Mucia Bhan; Hateh The Arm Wast; Wass Hateh The Hand Kuzhilo; Guzhdo; Gusto Awngli A Finger Ghazdo; Paltzo Anguta The Thumb Heroi Tingeri The Leg _Piro_ _Par_; Pauw The Foot _Tschangu_ _Gunga_ The Knee _Naj_ _Nouh_ A Finger Nail Sie; Si Djl The Heart Buko Sjiger The Liver Buchlipen Jagga A Place Rundo Nala A District _Geb_ _Gibah_; Tsched A Hole _But_; Behjr _Pot_ A Multitude Pisla Toro A Scarcity Lowe; Löwe Peyssa Money Libra Sere A Pound Jemia; Miga Koss A Mile _Buda_; _Purana_ _Potdjna_ Age _Tschiwawa_ _Tiuw_; Ratbhah Life Rikewela Ehad The Memory _Sunjo_ _Sunnj_ The Hearing Sung _Sunkh_ The smell Sik _Tschik_ The Taste Rakerpen; Rakriben; Tschip Bat; Juvanj The Speech Lab; Alo Bat; Kelam A Word _Nao_; Lawe _Nom_ A Name Liel Khutt An Epistle Buchos Ketab A Book Schin Rengeh Colour _Pul_; _Pos_ _Pual_ Straw _Baxt_ _Bukhtj_ Fortune Dromnazhedum Aheb; Tiffauti Error Sik Minet Diligence Merla Mordanj; Mot Death _Bkò_ _Buk_ Hunger Truzhilo Peas Thirst Sentinella Para; Tschokkj Watching Sowawa Njn; Khab Sleep _Dùk_ _Dirk_ Smart Dòko Dumm The Breath _Ghas_ _Kassj_ A Cough Butin Kar; Kam Labour Muskatella Mekljm Balsam Tschinneben Zukhmj; Gatel A Wound _Ker_ _Gurr_; Havelj A House _Tschater_; Chör _Tschater_ A Tent; Roof _Gadsi_ _Kassi_; Juru A Wife Tschowo; Tschabo Lirrka A Child _Tsche_; _Tschaj_ _Tschuknj_ A Girl _Tschabe_; _Tschawo_ _Tschokna_ A Boy _Tschek_ _Tschekerin_ A Virgin _Dade_; _Dadi_ Bab A Father Daj; Daju; Dajo _Ma_ A Mother _Mami_ A Grandmother Tschawo; Schave Beth A Son Tschaj; Schaj Bethj A Daughter Tschakrorum Jamwatsch Son-in-law Kako Tsche-tscherabhais Cousin Dades Krupral Tschatscha Father’s Brother Dades Kripen Tschatschi Father’s Sister Pewli Rhenduj; Rand A Widow Velèto Noker; Tschaker Man Servant Rakli Tschakerin Maid Servant Wirthus Gurkka-Suheb A Landlord Werda Seratsch; Kham An Inn Sikerwawa Talima Instruction Putzjum Sowal A Question _Pen_ _Bjn_; Jivab An Answer Mangawa Urrizi A Petition _Schegari_; Sidah The Chase Wezheskro _Scheggar_ A Huntsman _Kellipen_ _Kele_; Notsch A Game Schetra Serinda A Violin _Tschorori_ _Tscherjfi_; Konkatj Poverty Drum Musafferj A Voyage; Journey _Jangustri_; _Gostring_; _Angutri_ A Ring _Gusderin_ Tower; Tober Kulhari An Ax; A Bill Pàl Mes; Tukhta A Board Bechari Piala; Tschasj A Cup _Tschupni_ _Tschabukk_ A Whip _Tschor_ _Tschur_ A Thief _Tschordas_ _Tschurj_ A Theft _Goro_; Chadum _Dhoro_; Krjs A Sword; Dagger Pleisserdum Masuri A Reward Tschatscho Jnsaf; Sjera Right _Paro_; _Birda_ _Bharr_; _Birz_ Weight; Burthen _Tchumoben_ _Tschuma_ A Kiss Dori Sutlj; Fjtha A Band Manru; Maro Rutj Bread _Jaro_; _Aro_ _Atà_; Moidda Meal Gabèn Konna Food; Eatables Kjl Mukken Butter _Raja_; Rajah _Raja_ The Prince _Ranj_ _Roji_ The Princess _Raz_ _Raz_; Surdari The Principality Buklo Koluff A Castle Kuroben Jungro War Kutwnaskro Gardj; Tscholdar A Warrior Harmi Hattiar A Breastplate Puschka; _Banduk_ _Sanduk_ A Musket _Gaue_; Gal; Jegag _Gauw_; Busti A Village _Tombun_ _Tumbur_ A Drum _Kandini_ momelli _Genden_ Brimstone _Thu_ _Dhuah_ Smoke Paka Bosu The Wing Palmande Musaka The Rear Romm; Manusch Murd; Manusch Man, Mankind Jammadar Surrdar Commander Klusturi Takkor bar A Cloister Kangri; Kangheri Musizam A Church _Isba_ _Ischba_; Kuterj Apartment Skaurnin Tschukire A Chair Kambana Guntha Ghittal A Bell _Gowr_ _Kibr_ The Grave Doga Tschjs The Matter Nani kek Quotsch-netsch Nobody Schut Sirrka Vinegar Ker; Baua Havelj; Emarat An Edifice Klidin Tschabj; Kili A Key Schoste Petschamma Drawers _Koro_ _Kurti_ A Coat _Kuni_ Map; Kejasa A Measure _Kutschahu_ _Kitseh_ Potter’s Clay _Goji_ _Goig_ A Sausage Mol Angur; Schrab Wine Gereta Karamitti Chalk _Sapuni_ _Savin_ Soap Kammawa _Guna_ Accusation; Debt _Gono_ Kissa A Knapsack _Por_; _For_ _Purr_; _Por_ A Feather _Madjho_; Matzlin _Mudkj_ A Fly
ADJECTIVES.
Gipsey. Hindostan. English. Schoker Jssekta; Hakabat Respectable _Puro_ _Purana_; Buda Old Dumino Pagla Simple Prinjerdo Tschinta Known _Nango_ _Nenga_ Bare Nanilalsch; Erio Budd; Khrab Wicked Bulhàila Tschaura Broad _Duber_; _Aduito_ _Duara_ Double _Sana_ _Schano_; Pittla Thin Tschori ropen Kambukht Miserable _Ajecto_ _Ekara_ Single Tschimaster Netko; Kerned Eternal Latschila; Wingro Juta False Tamlo Nerassa Dark Piro Kalasch Free Zelo Sumutscha Entire _Baro_ _Burra_ Great Latscho Bala Good _Tschorero_ Budd-_suret_ Ugly, Hateful Pral Unscha High _Boko_ _Buka_ Hungry _Baugo_ _Benka_; Tera Crooked _Tikno_; _Tigno_ _Tengna_ Short Bango Lingra; Aftara Lame Lokes; Betschuker Djla; Derrtschka Slow _Sorlo_ Jeura Powerful _Kindo_ _Binga_ Wet _Nevo_ _Naia_ New Barwello Matwir; Talivirr Rich _Kalo_; _Kala_; Sjah Black _Kala_ Mitschach Tik Severe _Bharahilo_ _Barri_ Heavy Gudlo Mitha Sweet _Gor_ _Gehera_ Deep Merla; _Mua_; Whakka Dead _Mojas_ _Schukrohilo_ _Sukka_ Dry Gojemen Kuffa Arrogant _But_ _Bot_; Fatta Much _Perdo_ _Purra_; _Bharra_ Full Massob Kaberdar Watchful _Tscha_ _Sutscha_ True Tatto; Tatip Gorm Warm Parna Saffed; Vjela White _Dur_ _Tschaura_ Far Naneleskeksi Tschimmero Tough
VERBS.
Gipsey. Hindostan. English. Riokerwawa Mul-kurrna To esteem Wias Pontschna To arrive Kovokardas Luggauna To entice _Tschindas_ _Schina_-kurrna To charge _Pekgum_ Tamburine-_pukkauna_ To bake _Tschjl_ _Hjlna_ To shake _Mongawa_ _Mangna_ To beg Gohena Bjramet-kurrna To cheat Pàkjum Turauna To break _Bandopen_ _Bandna_ To bind Lubekirdaspas Zanakari-kurrna To commit adultery Pral Derkarhuna To be poor Pratterdum Dantna To threaten _Tscherodia_ stele _Sir_-katna To behead _Perdo_ _Bhurrna_ To accomplish Stildum Pukkerna; Bojena To seize _Gana_; _Kha_ _Kauna_ To eat Androssaster kordo Zinjir; Luggauna To fetter _Nasch_ _Tschuna_ To flow _Jarawe_ I fear _Jirrna_; _Dirrhuna_ To fear _Muterwawa_ _Mutna_ To make water Bango Lingra huna To halt (go lame) Getschaha Jauna To go any-where _Ghas_ _Kassi_-kurrna To cough Nazh Schegar-kurrna To hunt Kindjelle Mul-lena To buy _Tschumauna_ To kiss _Tschumedele_ She kisses Savva Hussna To laugh _Muk_ _Mukhset_-kurrna To leave Schiwawa Jjna To live Tscharawa Tschatna To lick Deletschedoman Sulah-huna To lie down Gochoben Jut bolena To lye _Kerla_ _Kurrna_ To make _Siwawa_ _Siwena_ To sew _Lawa_ _Lena_; Pukkerna To take _Nabe_ _Nomdena_ To name _Tschi_-kurrna To sneeze _Tschikatele_ He sneezes _Barreskro_ _Barretsch_-karrna To boast Sennelowisa Djwana huna To be mad; to rave _Birrsna_ To rain Dias _brischendo_ It did rain _Zhinawa_ _Ginna_; Tikna To reckon Tsatschoben Jnsaf dena To right one _Songawa_; _Sung_ _Sunkhna_; Bokurrna To smell Pennawa Kabena; Bolena To say Tschinnawa Karat-kurrna To saw _Giuwawa_ _Guwena_ To sing Limmaugi Kurrauna To provide Zamander Judda-kurrna To divide Zhinger Galljdena To scold Kàrj Urauna To shoot Kuroben Kassa-kurrna To slay _Bezhawna_; _Bezh_ _Bahetna_ To sit _Tschor_ _Tschure_-kurrna To steal _Mujas_; Mulo _Muena_ To die _Mongna_ _Duntena_ To seek _Lejauna_ _Lena_ To carry Luno Zumma-kurrna To marry Kuroben Marna To meet _Piava_; _Pi_ _Piena_ To drink _Puro_ _Purana_ To grow obsolete Latsakerjl Benschna To sell _Tschinna_ To know Me _tschana_ I know Tzawari Jadu-kurrna To bewitch _Dekkna_ To see Me _dikkaha_ I saw _Sana_ To hear Ne _schunele_ I do not hear
Example how the two Languages decline.
1. Without being joined to an Adjective.
SINGULAR NUMBER.
Gadzo Adami A Man Gad_zeskero_ Adam_ika_ Of the Man Gad_zsko_ Adam_iko_ To the Man Gadzo Adami; Adam_iko_ The Man O Gadzo O Adami O Man Gad_zestar_; Adam_ise_ from, with the Man Gad_zese_
PLURAL NUMBER.
Gadze Adamj_on_ Men Gadzen_gero_ Adamj_onka_ Of the Men Gadzen_go_ Adamj_onko_ To the Men Gadze Adamj_on_; The Men Adamj_onko_ O Gadze O Adamj_on_ O Men Gadzen_dar_; Adamj_onse_ from, with the Men Gad_zense_
SINGULAR NUMBER.
Kafidi Mes The Table Kafidj_akero_ Mes_ka_ Of the Table Kafid_jake_ Mes_ko_ To the Table Kafidi Mes; Mes_ko_ The Table O Kafidi O Mes O Table Kafidj_ater_; Mes_se_ from, with the Table Kafid_jse_
PLURAL NUMBER.
Kafidja Mese The Tables Kafidja_kero_ Mese_ka_ Of the Tables Kafidjen_ge_ Mese_ko_ To the Tables Kafidja Mese The Tables O Kafidja O Me_se_ O Tables Kafidjen_dar_; Mese_se_ from, with the Tables Kafidja_se_
2. With an Adjective.
SINGULAR NUMBER.
Baru balo Burra sur The great Hog Bari balis Buna sur_ka_ Of the great Hog Bari balis Burra sur_ko_ To the great Hog Baru balis Buna sur The great Hog O Baru bails O Burra sur O great Hog Bari balis_ter_; Burra sur_se_ from, with the great Hog balis_se_
PLURAL NUMBER.
Baru balen Burre sure The great Hogs Bari balen Burre sure_ka_ Of the great Hogs Bari balen Burre sure_ko_ To the great Hogs Baru balen Burre sure The great Hogs O Baru balen O Burre sure O great Hogs Bar balen_der_; Burre sure_se_ from, with the great Hogs balen_se_
REMARK I. Those syllables which, in the oblique cases, are printed in Italics, are the article. In the Gipsey, as well as in the Hindustan language, the article is not placed before the noun, but affixed behind it, and that is the sole indication of the case of a noun. In the Gipsey tongue, the article of the nominative case is _o_ or _i_; in the Hindostan, _a_ or _i_.
REMARK II. The Gipsey language, as well as the Hindostan, has only two genders, the masculine and feminine. Those nouns which end in i, are, in both languages, feminine, and all the rest masculine. Both languages change the masculine into the feminine gender, by putting a _j_ or an _i_ for the termination. For Example,
_Gipsey_, Raja, the Prince, Ranj, the Princess _Hindostan_, Raja, Raji
SOME PRONOUNS.
1. I: Me; Me, Mo.
SINGULAR NUMBER.
Me Me; Mo I Mrohi; Man Merra; Meika Of me Mange; Man Mejko To me Mange; Man Mejko Me Mander Mejse from Me
PLURAL NUMBER.
Amen; Men Humra We Amerohi Hummarra; Huraka Of us Amenge; Men Hummko To us Amen; Men Hummare; Humko Us Amendar; Amense Hummse from, with Us
2. Thou: Tu; Tu.
SINGULAR NUMBER.
Tu Tu Thou Trohi; Tute Terra Of Thee Tuke; Tute Tuko To Thee Tutte; Tut Tusko Thee O Tu O Tu O Thou Tutarhi; Tuter Tuse from Thee
PLURAL NUMBER.
Tumen; Tume Tum You Tumarohi; Tumende Tumarra Of You Tumengole; Tamen Tumko To You Tumen; Tume Tumarre; Tumko You O Tume O Tum O You Tumendar; Tumense Tumse from, with You
3. a. He: Job; Uweh.
SINGULAR NUMBER.
Uweh He Leste Jssika Of Him Las Jssiko To Him Les Jssiko Him Lester; Leha Jssise from, with Him
3. b. She: Joi; Uwehi
SINGULAR NUMBER.
Joi Uwehi She Lati Uska Of Her La Usko To Her La Usko Her Later; Laha Usise from, with Her
PLURAL NUMBER, common to both Genders.
Jole Jnne They Lente Jnneka Of them Len Jnneko To Them Lea Jnne Them Lender Jnnese from Them
4. My: Maro; Merra Mari; Merri
_Masculine_, _Feminine_. _Masculine_. _Feminine_. Miro Miri Merra Merri My Meri Merraka Merrika Of My Merige Merrako Merriko To My Merige Merra Merri My O Miro O Miri O Merra O Merri O My Merider Merrase Merrse from My
5. Our: Maro; Hummarra Mari; Hummarri
SINGULAR NUMBER.
Maro Miri Hummarra Hummarri Our Mari Hummarraka Hummarrika Of Our Marige Miro Hummarrako Hummarriko To Our Marige Hummarra Hummarri Our O Maro O Mari O Hummarra O Hummarri O Our Marider Hummarrase Hummarrise from Our
6. Thy: Tiro; Terra Tiri; Terri
SINGULAR NUMBER.
_Masculine_. _Feminine_. _Masculine_. _Feminine_. Tiro Tiri Terra Terri Thy Teri Terraka Terrika Of Thy Terige Terrako Terriko To Thy Terige Terra Terri Thy O Tiro O Tiri O Terra O Terri O Thy Terider Terrase Terrise from, with Thy Terise
7. Your: Tumaro; Tummarra Tumari; Tummarri
SINGULAR NUMBER.
Tumaro Tumari Tummarra Tummarri Your Tumari Tummaraka Tummarrika Of Your Tumarige Tummarrako Tummarriko To Your Tumarige Tummarra Tummarri Your O Tumaro O Tumari O Tummarra O Tummarri O Your Tamarider; Tummarrase Tummarrise from, with Tumarise You
8. Who? Kohn? _Gipsey_; Koun? _Hindostan_.
Examples of the conjugation of both Languages.
I am: Me Hom; Me Hej
PRESENT.—SINGULAR NUMBER.
Gipsey. Hindostan. English. _Masculine_. _Feminine_. _Masculine_. _Feminine_. Me Hom; Kom Sinjom He Hej; Mem Hoti I am Hu; Hota Tu Hal Sinjel Ty Hej; Tem Hoti Thou art Hae; Hota Job Hi Si Vweh Hej; Wo Hoti He is Hae; Hota
PLURAL NUMBER.
Men Ham Sinjam Hum Hei; Ham Hotia We are Haem; Hote Tume Ham Sinjan Tum Hej; Tom Hotia Ye are Ho; Hote Jole Hi Sinja Jnne Hei; We Hotia They are Haem; Hote
IMPERFECT.—SINGULAR NUMBER.
Me Hames Me Hua; Mem Tha Thi I was Tu Hales Tu Hua; Tem Tha Thi Thou wast Job Has Uweh Hua; Woh Tha Thi He was
PLURAL NUMBER.
Men Hames Hum Hue; Ham The Thia We were Tume Hames Tum Hue; Tom The Thia Ye were Jole Has Inne Hue; We The Thia They were
PERFECT.—SINGULAR NUMBER.
Me Sinjomahi Me Huatha I have been Tu Sinjalahi Tu Huatha Thou hast been Job Sinja Uweh Huatha He hath been
PLURAL NUMBER.
Men Sinjamahi Hum Huathe We have been Tume Sinjanahi Tum Huathe Ye have been Jole Sinje Jnne Huathe They have been
FUTURE.—SINGULAR NUMBER.
Gipsey. Hindostan. English. Me Owa Me Huga I shall be Du Oweha Tu Huga Thou shalt be Job Ula Uweh Huga He shall be
PLURAL NUMBER.
Men Owaha Hum Huge We shall be Tume Una Tum Huge Ye shall be Jole Owena Jnne Huge They shall be
INFINITIVE.
Huna To be
To make; do: Kerja; Kurrna.
PRESENT.—SINGULAR NUMBER.
Me Kerel Me Kurrta I make Tu Kerech Tu Kurrta Thou makest Job Kerel Uweh Kurrta He maketh
PLURAL NUMBER.
Scho Kerjem Hum Kurrte We make Tumen Kerjen Tum Kurrte Ye make Ou Kerde Jnne Kurrte They make
IMPERFECT.—SINGULAR NUMBER.
Me Kerjom Me Kurrtatha I did make Tu Kerjel Tu Kurrtatha Thou didst make O Kerje Uweh Kurrtatha He did make
PLURAL NUMBER.
Scho Kerjom Hum Kurrtathe We did make Tumen Kerjen Tum Kurrtathe Ye did make On Kerde Jnne Kurrtathe They did make
The comparison thus far will, it is presumed, be sufficient to convince every person of the truth of the position, that the Gipsey language is really that of Hindostan. Let the reader look over the catalogue once more, and it will appear, on the average, that every third Gipsey word is likewise an Hindostan one; or still more, out of thirty Gipsey words, eleven or twelve are constantly of Hindostan. This agreement is uncommonly great: it must at the same time be remembered, that the words above communicated have been learned from the Gipseys within a few years; consequently, at a time when they had been nearly four complete centuries away from Hindostan, their native country (as we may now assert it to be), among people who spoke languages totally different, and in which the Gipseys themselves conversed. Under the constant, and so long continued, influx of these languages, their own must necessarily have suffered great alteration; more especially as they are a people entirely ignorant, without either writing or literature. One foreign word after another must have crept into their language; consequently, by the frequent use of such words, the Gipsey word of the same signification was more rarely used, and by degrees lost from their recollection: by which circumstance the original composition of their language became completely deranged; {190} which is the reason why, as any person may convince himself by inspection, various languages and idioms—Turkish, Grecian, Latin, Wallachian, Hungarian, Sclavonian, German, and others—make part of the foregoing vocabulary. The word _rome_, _man_, is Coptic; with, perhaps, a few more. It does not appear that there is so much Persian in the Gipsey language, as has been generally imagined; and even what there is of it they may have brought with them from their native country, as many Persian words are current in Hindostan.
After all these reflections, we ought rather to wonder that the number of Hindostan words in the Gipsey language is so considerable, than to require it should be greater, in order to furnish sufficient proof of the Hindostan language being the Gipseys’ mother tongue.
But we have a right, from the agreement which appears in the catalogue published, to conclude the affinity is much more intimate. The idea hitherto adopted has been that, among the Gipsey words quoted, all those of the Hindostan language, answering to the annexed meaning, appear, which are still extant in the Gipsey language. But this is certainly by no means the case. It will be recollected, from the first part, how great a secret the Gipseys make of their language, and how suspicious they appear when any person wishes to learn a few words of it. Even if the Gipsey is not perverse, he is very inattentive; and is consequently likely to answer some other rather than the true Gipsey word. Under such circumstances, it is very possible, nay even probable, that in the foregoing catalogue there may many words be inserted, for which true Gipsey, of course Hindostan, words might be found; but that the Gipseys when enquired of, either from levity or by design, did not declare them.
Further, it is not all absurd to pronounce, that there remain more, or at least different, true Gipsey words among those residing in one country than another. And if, at a future period, some person should, as an experiment on the above catalogue, examine a second or third time parties of Gipseys in different countries, and compare the words obtained with those already delivered, the catalogue would certainly receive a considerable augmentation in favour of our hypothesis.
Finally, we must consider the Hindostan language itself. This, it is true, is fundamentally the same all over Hindostan; but, like every other language in the world, has different dialects in the various provinces. The eastern dialect, spoken about the Ganges, has different names for some things, and different inflexions of some words, from the western one spoken about the Indus. There is, besides, a third, varying from both these, viz. the Surat dialect, which has a number of Malabar and other words mixed with it. To this must be added, that in the Hindostan, as well as in every other language, there are often several names for the same thing. The particular dialect bearing the closest affinity to the Gipsey language, as will appear hereafter, is the western, and perhaps more especially that of Surat. Had this therefore, or the western one in general, been the standard of the above comparison; and had we not, for want of words in these dialects, been obliged frequently to have recourse to the eastern one, spoken in Bengal; or had we, even in the latter, been able to obtain so many words, that where the Gipsey, from not knowing any more, could only give us a single expression, we might have produced, not one or two as at present, but all, or at least the greater part, of the synonymous appellations: we should infallibly in this manner recover, in the Hindostan language, many a Gipsey word, which even the learned are unable to derive from the European or any other language, and yet have as little appearance of being Hindostan. With respect to the construction and inflexions of the two languages, they are evidently the same. That of Hindostan has only two genders; the Gipsey the same. In the former every word ended in _j_ is feminine, all the rest masculine; in the latter the same rule is observed. That makes the inflections entirely by the article, adding it at the end of the word; the Gipsey language proceeds exactly in the same manner. Finally, likewise, bating a trifling variation, this identical similarity is evident in the pronouns.
So much for the language of the Gipseys. As this is indubitably Hindostan, it would be sufficient of itself to prove the descent of those people from Hindostan. But we shall now proceed to other grounds, which, united with the proofs from the language, will leave us less reason to doubt concerning this matter.
That the Gipseys, and natives of Hindostan, resemble each other in complexion and shape, and are equally timorous and cowardly, is undeniable. But we shall pass over these, together with some other circumstances; as, perhaps, neither the one nor the other are such distinguishing marks as not to be met with among other Oriental people.
The name of Polgar, likewise, carries some weight with it, which we find among the Gipseys in the earliest times, before they began to change the names they brought with them for those used in Europe. Polgar, as we may remember, was the name of the leader who, in the year 1496, obtained a safe-conduct from the Hungarian king Uladislaus II. by virtue of which he, with his horde, consisting of twenty-five tents or families, had the liberty of travelling about where he pleased. This name Polgar originates in India, where it is the appellation of a deity presiding over marriages and matrimonial concerns: the Indians are very fond of bearing this name, as well as the names of their other deities.
In reciting the employments of the Gipseys, their smith’s business was mentioned; when it was remarked, that their anvil is a stone, and what more implements they use consist in a pair of hand-bellows, a pair of tongs, a hammer, a vise, and a file. With such a portable apparatus, the travelling Gipsey wanders from place to place. We will compare this account with what Sonnerat relates of the Indian smiths: the following are his own words: “The smith carries his tools, his shop, and his forge, about with him, and works in any place where he can find employment: he erects his shop before the house of his employer, raising a low wall with beaten earth, before which he places his hearth; behind this wall he fixes two leathern bellows, which his apprentice blows alternately, to keep up the fire. He has a stone instead of an anvil, and his whole apparatus is a pair of tongs, a hammer, a beetle, and a file.” The most striking circumstance relating to this coincidence is, that both Gipsey and Indian should use the same kind of hand-bellows, and both have exactly two. As the apprentice works these for the Indian, so does the wife or one of the children for the Gipsey.
What is asserted of the young Gipsey girls, rambling about with their fathers who are musicians, dancing with all kinds of indecent and lascivious attitudes and gestures, to divert any person who is willing to give them a small gratuity for so acting, is likewise perfectly Indian. Sonnerat confirms this also.—“Surat is,” he says, “famous for its dancing girls. These young women devote themselves entirely to the worship of the Gods, whom they attend in the processions, dancing and singing before the representations of them. The handycraftsmen generally destine the youngest of their daughters to this service, and send them to the pagoda before they come to the age of puberty. There they have dancing and music masters, with persons to teach them to sing. The Bramins form their young minds, and deflower them; in the end, they become common prostitutes. They then join in companies, take musicians with them, to entertain any-body who chooses to engage them, with music and dancing.” Sonnerat speaks here likewise of the wanton gestures of these dancing girls, of which he has given a drawing; and ends his description thus: “The blinking of their eyes—half open, half shut—and the negligent sinking of their bodies, to the most languishing music, shew that their whole frame breathes nothing but lasciviousness.”
Fortune-telling is practised all over the east; but the peculiar kind professed by the Gipseys, viz. _chiromancy_—constantly referring to whether the parties shall be rich or poor, fortunate or unhappy in marriage; whether they shall have many or few children, &c.—is no-where met with but in India. The following instance will evince, how perfectly Gipseyish it is: “It once happened,” says Baldæus, “that the Rajah Khans made his appearance before the inhabitants; when being given to understand that an experienced Bramin was arrived, he ordered him to be brought before him, and said—‘Narret (that was his name), look at my daughter’s hand, and inform me whether she will be happy or unfortunate, poor or rich; whether she will have many or few children; if her life will be long or short: speak out freely, and conceal nothing.’ The Bramin having looked at her hand, replied, ‘May it please your Majesty, according to the indication of these lines, I read thus—She shall bear seven children, viz. six sons and a daughter; the youngest of whom shall not only deprive you of your crown and empire, but likewise of your head and life, and afterwards place himself in your seat.’” This method, Baldæus adds, of looking in the hands, is very common among the heathens.
The excessive loquacity of the Gipseys, as well as their very advantageous natural qualities, which have been before noticed, are likewise distinguishing characteristics of the Indian; besides, the very name Zigeuner, or, according to a broader way of pronunciation, Ciganen and Tchingenen, is the appellation of an Indian people, living at the mouth of the Indus, as mentioned by Thevenot.
Another striking intimation of the Indian descent of the Gipseys, is the partiality of the latter for red colours, or saffron: in like manner the Bramin performs all his religious duties in a white dress, without the least mixture of any other colour. On his return home from these functions, he changes his white turban for a red one. The common Indians also prefer this colour for their little round caps: and these last, especially on holidays, make a double deep yellow stripe on their foreheads with fat, saffron, and sacred cow-dung. The Bramins make the same stripe with _red_, as a mark of pre-eminence. Again, the Gipseys as Twiss assures us of those in Spain, never intermarry with any people who are not, like themselves, of Gipsey extraction; which puts us strongly in mind of the Indian castes.