Although Cant and Slang are a lingua franca for all Traditional Travellers in he UK, there re many variations, several of which have occurred because of the groups' individual histories, eg additions of Latin, Dialects, Celtic, German, Gaelic, Italian, Norse and others, as well as a type of 'pot boiled' English. The reasons for these are examined and shown to be mirrors of their previous histories.
Introduction, brief history of Travellers, The Poor, The Dissolution of
the Monasteries, Definitions, Cant and slang, an observation, notes on the
lists, features, abbreviations, Traveller sources, alternatively pronounced
English by Romanies. words for Police, Cant of English and Welsh Romanies,
Slang of English and Welsh Romanies, Cant of Irish Travellers, Slang of
Irish Travellers, Cant of Scottish Travellers, Slang of Scottish Travellers,
Cant of 50s tramps, Slang of 50s tramps, appendices, number of loan words in
the lists, what the years show, words recorded historically/not recorded,
number of words where etymology was not found, bibliography.
Robert Dawson first became involved with Romanies and Travellers in 1955 and it has beenhis life ever since. He has never been directly employed in GT (Gypsy/Traveller) work but always as a volunteer and any remuneration has always gone back into the community. He is proud and grateful to have made so many friends.
Throughout those years, his aim has been to record aspects of GT culture for the future, realizing that as education improves, people will wish to re-find their own heritage.
Books, ephemera, pictures, photos, tools, objects, cooking gear etc are housed in several collections which he has donated to organisations in various parts of the UK. That at Reading contains 10,000 items.
