the zincali-第58节
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10 Dosch De Dascha
It would be easy for us to adduce a thousand instances； as striking
as the above； of the affinity of the Gypsy tongue to the Persian；
Sanscrit； and the Indian dialects； but we have not space for
further observation on a point which long since has been
sufficiently discussed by others endowed with abler pens than our
own； but having made these preliminary remarks； which we deemed
necessary for the elucidation of the subject； we now hasten to
speak of the Gitano language as used in Spain； and to determine； by
its evidence （and we again repeat； that the language is the only
criterion by which the question can be determined）； how far the
Gitanos of Spain are entitled to claim connection with the tribes
who； under the names of Zingani； etc。； are to be found in various
parts of Europe； following； in general； a life of wandering
adventure； and practising the same kind of thievish arts which
enable those in Spain to obtain a livelihood at the expense of the
more honest and industrious of the community。
The Gitanos of Spain； as already stated； are generally believed to
be the descendants of the Moriscos； and have been asserted to be
such in printed books。 （71） Now they are known to speak a language
or jargon amongst themselves which the other natives of Spain do
not understand； of course； then； supposing them to be of Morisco
origin； the words of this tongue or jargon； which are not Spanish；
are the relics of the Arabic or Moorish tongue once spoken in
Spain； which they have inherited from their Moorish ancestors。 Now
it is well known； that the Moorish of Spain was the same tongue as
that spoken at present by the Moors of Barbary； from which country
Spain was invaded by the Arabs； and to which they again retired
when unable to maintain their ground against the armies of the
Christians。 We will； therefore； collate the numerals of the
Spanish Gitano with those of the Moorish tongue； preceding both
with those of the Hungarian Gypsy； of which we have already made
use； for the purpose of making clear the affinity of that language
to the Sanscrit and Persian。 By this collation we shall at once
perceive whether the Gitano of Spain bears most resemblance to the
Arabic； or the Rommany of other lands。
Hungarian Spanish Moorish
Gypsy。 Gitano。 Arabic。
1 Jek Yeque Wahud
2 Dui Dui Snain
3 Trin Trin Slatza
4 Schtar Estar Arba
5 Pansch Pansche Khamsa
6 Tschov Job。 Zoi Seta
7 Efta Hefta Sebea
8 Ochto Otor Sminia
9 Enija Esnia （Nu。 PERS。） Tussa
10 Dosch Deque Aschra
We believe the above specimens will go very far to change the
opinion of those who have imbibed the idea that the Gitanos of
Spain are the descendants of Moors； and are of an origin different
from that of the wandering tribes of Rommany in other parts of the
world； the specimens of the two dialects of the Gypsy； as far as
they go； being so strikingly similar； as to leave no doubt of their
original identity； whilst； on the contrary； with the Moorish
neither the one nor the other exhibits the slightest point of
similarity or connection。 But with these specimens we shall not
content ourselves； but proceed to give the names of the most common
things and objects in the Hungarian and Spanish Gitano；
collaterally； with their equivalents in the Moorish Arabic； from
which it will appear that whilst the former are one and the same
language； they are in every respect at variance with the latter。
When we consider that the Persian has adopted so many words and
phrases from the Arabic； we are at first disposed to wonder that a
considerable portion of these words are not to be discovered in
every dialect of the Gypsy tongue； since the Persian has lent it so
much of its vocabulary。 Yet such is by no means the case； as it is
very uncommon； in any one of these dialects； to discover words
derived from the Arabic。 Perhaps； however； the following
consideration will help to solve this point。 The Gitanos； even
before they left India； were probably much the same rude； thievish；
and ignorant people as they are at the present day。 Now the words
adopted by the Persian from the Arabic； and which it subsequently
introduced into the dialects of India； are sounds representing
objects and ideas with which such a people as the Gitanos could
necessarily be but scantily acquainted； a people whose circle of
ideas only embraces physical objects； and who never commune with
their own minds； nor exert them but in devising low and vulgar
schemes of pillage and deceit。 Whatever is visible and common is
seldom or never represented by the Persians； even in their books；
by the help of Arabic words： the sun and stars； the sea and river；
the earth； its trees； its fruits； its flowers； and all that it
produces and supports； are seldom named by them by other terms than
those which their own language is capable of affording； but in
expressing the abstract thoughts of their minds； and they are a
people who think much and well； they borrow largely from the
language of their religion … the Arabic。 We therefore； perhaps；
ought not to be surprised that in the scanty phraseology of the
Gitanos； amongst so much Persian； we find so little that is Arabic；
had their pursuits been less vile； their desires less animal； and
their thoughts less circumscribed； it would probably have been
otherwise； but from time immemorial they have shown themselves a
nation of petty thieves； horse…traffickers； and the like； without a
thought of the morrow； being content to provide against the evil of
the passing day。
The following is a comparison of words in the three languages：…
Hungarian Spanish Moorish
Gypsy。（72） Gitano。 Arabic。
Bone Cokalos Cocal Adorn
City Forjus Foros Beled
Day Dives Chibes Youm
Drink （to） Piava Piyar Yeschrab
Ear Kan Can Oothin
Eye Jakh Aquia Ein
Feather Por Porumia Risch
Fire Vag Yaque Afia
Fish Maczo Macho Hutz
Foot Pir Piro； pindro Rjil
Gold Sonkai Sonacai Dahab
Great Baro Baro Quibir
Hair Bala Bal Schar
He； pron。 Wow O Hu
Head Tschero Jero Ras
House Ker Quer Dar
Husband Rom Ron Zooje
Lightning Molnija Maluno Brak
Love （to） Camaba Camelar Yehib
Man Manusch Manu Rajil
Milk Tud Chuti Helib
Mountain Bar Bur Djibil
Mouth Mui Mui Fum
Name Nao Nao Ism
Night Rat Rachi Lila
Nose Nakh Naqui Munghar
Old Puro Puro Shaive
Red Lal Lalo Hamr
Salt Lon Lon Mela
Sing Gjuwawa Gilyabar Iganni
Sun Cam Can Schems
Thief Tschor Choro Haram
Thou Tu Tucue Antsin
Tongue Tschib Chipe Lsan
Tooth Dant Dani Sinn
Tree Karscht Caste Schizara
Water Pani Pani Ma
Wind Barbar Barban Ruhk
We shall offer no further observations respecting the affinity of
the Spanish Gitano to the other dialects； as we conceive we have
already afforded sufficient proof of its original identity with
them； and consequently shaken to the ground the absurd opinion that
the Gitanos of Spain are the descendants of the Arabs and Moriscos。
We shall now conclude with a few remarks on the present state of
the Gitano language in Spain； where； perhaps； within the course of
a few years； it will have perished； without leaving a vestige of
its having once existed； and where； perhaps； the singular people
who speak it are likewise doomed to disappear； becoming sooner or
later engulfed and absorbed in the great body of the nation；
amongst whom they have so long existed a separate and peculiar
class。
Though the words or a part of the words of the original tongue
still remain； preserved by memory amongst the Gitanos； its
grammatical peculiarities have disappeared； the entire language
