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Romany language

Romany language

9.9
A language from India spoken by Roma people in many countries
  • noun
translation icon : idioma romaní
  • The Romany language has many dialects that vary between different regions of Europe.

Examples

  • Few people outside the community are fluent in the Romany language.

  • He studied the Romany language to better understand Romani culture and traditions.

  • The Romany language has many dialects.

  • Many people are learning the Romany language today.

  • He studied the Romany language to better understand Romani culture and traditions.

  • Few people outside the community are fluent in the Romany language.

  • The Romany language has many dialects that vary between different regions of Europe.

Synonyms

Romany
vsRomany language
8.9

A language that Romani people speak across Europe and beyond

is a longer descriptive phrase naming the community language

Surface Forms

Morphology

Romany + language

The meaning is fully compositional: 'Romany' specifies the community/ethnic-linguistic identity and 'language' names a speech system, so 'Romany language' straightforwardly means the language of the Romani people. This noun+language naming pattern is cross-linguistically common (e.g., 'Spanish language'), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Romany language gets its name from the people's own word Rom, which means 'man' or 'person'. The Romani people moved to Europe from India long ago and kept many of those old words, so Romany language now means the language of the Romani people.