Romani studies
Encyclopedia
Romani studies is an emerging interdisciplinary
ethnic studies
field concerned with the experiences of the Romani people. Romani studies drawn on aspects of sociology
, anthropology
, linguistics
and political science
. Particular areas of focus include the origins of the Romani people, experiences of persecution
and political oppression
, the Romani language
, Romani society and culture, and Romani customs and traditions. As a formal discipline, Romani studies originated in the United Kingdom
in the 1990s, with key contributors including Ian Hancock
, Thomas Acton, David Smith and Michael Stewart.
The area of inquiry of Romani studies often extends beyond ethnic Roma to Irish Traveller
s, Yeniche and other groups traditionally known as Gypsies.
Romani Studies, which is published by the Gypsy Lore Society
and edited by Yaron Matras
, who also conducts the Romani programme at the University of Manchester
.
Interdisciplinarity
Interdisciplinarity involves the combining of two or more academic fields into one single discipline. An interdisciplinary field crosses traditional boundaries between academic disciplines or schools of thought, as new needs and professions have emerged....
ethnic studies
Ethnic studies
Ethnic studies is the interdisciplinary study of racialized peoples in the world in relation to ethnicity. It evolved in the second half of the 20th century partly in response to charges that traditional disciplines such as anthropology, history, English, ethnology, Asian studies, and orientalism...
field concerned with the experiences of the Romani people. Romani studies drawn on aspects of sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
, anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
, linguistics
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
and political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. Particular areas of focus include the origins of the Romani people, experiences of persecution
Persecution
Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms. The inflicting of suffering, harassment, isolation,...
and political oppression
Political repression
Political repression is the persecution of an individual or group for political reasons, particularly for the purpose of restricting or preventing their ability to take political life of society....
, the Romani language
Romani language
Romani or Romany, Gypsy or Gipsy is any of several languages of the Romani people. They are Indic, sometimes classified in the "Central" or "Northwestern" zone, and sometimes treated as a branch of their own....
, Romani society and culture, and Romani customs and traditions. As a formal discipline, Romani studies originated in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in the 1990s, with key contributors including Ian Hancock
Ian Hancock
Ian Hancock is a linguist, Romani scholar, and political advocate. He was born and raised in England, and is one of the main contributors in the field of Romani studies....
, Thomas Acton, David Smith and Michael Stewart.
The area of inquiry of Romani studies often extends beyond ethnic Roma to Irish Traveller
Irish Traveller
Irish Travellers are a traditionally nomadic people of ethnic Irish origin, who maintain a separate language and set of traditions. They live predominantly in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.-Etymology:...
s, Yeniche and other groups traditionally known as Gypsies.
Publications
The main publication in this field is the academic journalAcademic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
Romani Studies, which is published by the Gypsy Lore Society
Gypsy Lore Society
The Gypsy Lore Society was founded in Great Britain in 1888 to unite persons interested in the history and lore of Gypsies and rovers and to establish closer contacts among scholars studying aspects of such cultures. David MacRitchie was one of its founders and he worked with Francis Hindes Groome...
and edited by Yaron Matras
Yaron Matras
Yaron Matras is a linguist at the University of Manchester specializing in Romani and related languages. He is one of the most prominent English-language Romani linguist and the author of several pioneering studies. He edited Romani in Contact, a collection of papers presented at the First...
, who also conducts the Romani programme at the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
.