Vlax Romani
Vlax Romani (known natively as romani shib) is a significant linguistic variety spoken primarily by the Romani people across Southeastern Europe. Depending on the linguistic perspective, it is categorized either as an independent language or as a major dialect of the broader Romani language. Globally, it stands as the second most widely spoken dialect subgroup of Romani, following Balkan Romani.
The language is part of the Indo-European family, specifically falling under the Indo-Iranian and Indo-Aryan branches. Its distribution is widespread, with native speakers found in Bosnia, Romania, Serbia, Albania, Hungary, and Israel, as well as various other states worldwide.
Key Facts
- Native Speakers: Approximately 538,480 (based on 2002–2014 data).
- Official Status: Recognized as a minority language in Hungary, Romania, Poland, and Serbia.
- Language Family: Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Indo-Aryan.
- ISO 639-3 Code: rmy.
- Primary Region: Southeastern Europe.
Origins and Etymology
The term "Vlax Romani" was first introduced in 1915 by British scholar Bernard Gilliat-Smith. In his study of Bulgarian Romani, he established a distinction between Vlach and non-Vlach dialects. The name is derived from "Vlach," referring to the Vlax Roma—a subgroup of the Romani people who descended from former Roma slaves in the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, located in modern-day Romania.
It is important to note a linguistic distinction: the words "Romani" and "Romania" are false cognates (words that look similar but have different origins). "Romani" comes from the word rom, which traces back to the Sanskrit word ḍoma, while "Romania" derives from the Romanian român, which originates from Latin.
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Classification and Dialects
Vlax Romani is broadly divided into two primary groups: Vlax I (Northern Vlax) and Vlax II (Southern Vlax). These groups encompass a wide array of regional dialects spread across Europe and beyond.
Northern Vlax (Vlax I)
This group includes prominent dialects such as Kalderash and Lovari. Due to migration, these dialects are found in diverse locations including Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Poland, Norway, Serbia, Italy, Russia, Sweden, and the United States.
Southern Vlax (Vlax II)
Southern Vlax varieties are more concentrated in the Balkans and surrounding areas. Notable dialects include Vallachian (Romania), Ihtiman (Bulgaria), Gurbet (Serbia and Bosnia), Korça (Albania), Xoraxane (Italy), and Ajia Varbara (Greece).
| Sub-group | Dialect | Primary Location(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ukrainian Vlax | - | Ukraine |
| Northern Vlax | Cerhari, Lovari, Kalderaš | Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Poland, Norway, Serbia, Italy, Russia, Sweden, USA |
| Southern Vlax | Vallachian, Ihtiman, Gurbet, Korça, Xoraxane, Ajia Varbara | Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, Italy, Greece |
Writing Systems
Vlax Romani is primarily written using a specialized Romani orthography based on the Latin alphabet, which incorporates several additional characters to represent specific sounds. However, in regions that were part of the former Soviet Union, the Cyrillic script is also utilized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vlax Romani a separate language or a dialect?
It is viewed both ways; it can be referred to as an independent language or as one of the dialect subgroups of the Romani language.
Where did the name "Vlax" come from?
The name comes from "Vlach," referring to the historical region of Wallachia in present-day Romania, where the Vlax Roma subgroup originated.
What is the difference between Romani and Romanian?
They are unrelated linguistically. Romani is an Indo-Aryan language derived from Sanskrit, while Romanian is a Romance language derived from Latin.
Which countries recognize Vlax Romani as a minority language?
It is officially recognized as a minority language in Romania, Hungary, Serbia, and Poland.
What are the two main divisions of Vlax Romani?
The language is divided into Vlax I (Northern Vlax), which includes dialects like Kalderash and Lovari, and Vlax II (Southern Vlax).