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 Pontsandis

Petschass

Fifty

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; Tschon

Meina

A Month

Diwes

Diw; Rase

Day

Ratti; Rattgin; Rat

Rateh

Night

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; Dewel; Dewol; Dewla

Khoda; Allah

God

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;Schomnakai

Suna

Gold

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; Tschokel;Schokel; Tschikel

Kuttha

A Dog

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; Gurongatsch

Gaj; Borjuko

A Cow

Warjuhilo

Batschera

A Calf

Bàkera: Bakra;Bakro

Bhjra; Bhjri; Mendha; Mendhi

A Sheep

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;Aran

Awk

The Eye

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;Gusderin

Angutri

A Ring

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