Yeniche language
Encyclopedia
The Yeniche language, or Jenisch, (ISO 629-3 code: yec) is a variety
of German
, spoken by the Yeniche, former nomad
s living mostly in Germany
, Austria
, Switzerland
, and parts of France
.
rather than an actual language; meaning, it consists of a significant number of unique specialized words, but does not have its own grammar or its own basic vocabulary. Yaniche speakers generally speak their local German dialect enriched by the Yeniche vocabulary.
The Yeniche vocabulary contains many words of Romani
and Yiddish (and through this route, Hebrew
) origin; it also has many unusual metaphors and metonomies that replace the standard German words. The relationship between Yeniche and standard German is comparable to the relationship between Cockney
or Polari
and standard English. Many original Yeniche words have become parts of standard German.
The Yeniche were originally travelers, i.e. people with professions outside of mainstream society that required them to move from town to town, such as showpeople, tinker
s, and door-to-door salespeople. Today, the Yeniche jargon is only used in certain isolated locations; for example, in certain poor districts of cities such as Berlin
and Münster
, few Eifel
villages, Luxembourg
etc.
Individual variants of the Yeniche language can be quite distinct, and have names of their own, such as Masematte, Lepper Talp, Heenese Vlek, and many more.
Variety (linguistics)
In sociolinguistics a variety, also called a lect, is a specific form of a language or language cluster. This may include languages, dialects, accents, registers, styles or other sociolinguistic variation, as well as the standard variety itself...
of German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, spoken by the Yeniche, former nomad
Nomad
Nomadic people , commonly known as itinerants in modern-day contexts, are communities of people who move from one place to another, rather than settling permanently in one location. There are an estimated 30-40 million nomads in the world. Many cultures have traditionally been nomadic, but...
s living mostly in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, and parts of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Components
The Yeniche language has been documented since the 18th century. It is a jargonJargon
Jargon is terminology which is especially defined in relationship to a specific activity, profession, group, or event. The philosophe Condillac observed in 1782 that "Every science requires a special language because every science has its own ideas." As a rationalist member of the Enlightenment he...
rather than an actual language; meaning, it consists of a significant number of unique specialized words, but does not have its own grammar or its own basic vocabulary. Yaniche speakers generally speak their local German dialect enriched by the Yeniche vocabulary.
The Yeniche vocabulary contains many words of Romani
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....
and Yiddish (and through this route, Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
) origin; it also has many unusual metaphors and metonomies that replace the standard German words. The relationship between Yeniche and standard German is comparable to the relationship between Cockney
Cockney
The term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
or Polari
Polari
Polari is a form of cant slang used in Britain by actors, circus and fairground showmen, criminals, prostitutes, and by the gay subculture. It was popularised in the 1960s by camp characters Julian and Sandy in the popular BBC radio show Round the Horne...
and standard English. Many original Yeniche words have become parts of standard German.
The Yeniche were originally travelers, i.e. people with professions outside of mainstream society that required them to move from town to town, such as showpeople, tinker
Tinker
A tinker was originally an itinerant tinsmith, who mended household utensils. The term "tinker" became used in British society to refer to marginalized persons...
s, and door-to-door salespeople. Today, the Yeniche jargon is only used in certain isolated locations; for example, in certain poor districts of cities such as Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and Münster
Münster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
, few Eifel
Eifel
The Eifel is a low mountain range in western Germany and eastern Belgium. It occupies parts of southwestern North Rhine-Westphalia, northwestern Rhineland-Palatinate and the south of the German-speaking Community of Belgium....
villages, Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
etc.
Individual variants of the Yeniche language can be quite distinct, and have names of their own, such as Masematte, Lepper Talp, Heenese Vlek, and many more.