Domari language: Difference between revisions

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
>Oscopo
m (→‎Dialects: grammar)
 
(robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit))
 
Line 2: Line 2:
{{Infobox language
{{Infobox language
| name            = Domari
| name            = Domari
| nativename      = Dōmʋārī, Dōmʋārī ǧib, Dômarî ĵib, דּוֺמָרִי ,دٛومَرِي
| nativename      = Dōmʋārī, Dōmʋārī ǧib, Dômarî ĵib, דּוֹמָרִי ,دٛومَرِي
| states          = [[Iran]], [[Syria]], [[Turkey]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]], [[Lebanon]] [[Jordan]] <ref name=Matras>Matras (2012)</ref>
| states          = [[Azerbaijan]], [[Mauritania]], [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Lebanon]], [[Egypt]], [[Libya]], [[Tunisia]], [[Algeria]], [[Morocco]], [[Israel]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]], [[Syria]], [[Turkey]], [[Jordan]], [[Sudan]], and perhaps neighboring countries<ref name=Matras>Matras (2012)</ref>
| region          = [[Middle East and North Africa]], [[Caucasus]], [[Central Asia]]
| region          = [[Middle East and North Africa]], [[Caucasus]], [[Central Asia]]
| ethnicity        = [[Dom people|Dom]]
| ethnicity        = [[Dom people|Dom]]
Line 20: Line 20:
| dia1            = Northern Domari
| dia1            = Northern Domari
| dia2            = Southern Domari
| dia2            = Southern Domari
|map2              = Lang Status 40-SE.png
|mapcaption2        = <center>{{small|Domari is classified as Severely Endangered by the [[UNESCO]]<br> [[Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger]]}}</center>
}}
}}


'''Domari''' is an [[Indo-Aryan language]], spoken by [[Dom people]] scattered across the [[Middle East]]. The language is reported to be spoken mainly in Turkey and the Levant ( Syria, Lebanon, Jorden, and Palestine). <ref name=Matras/> Based on the systematicity of sound changes, we know with a fair degree of certainty that the names ''Domari'' and ''[[Romani people|Romani]]'' derive from the Indo-Aryan word ''ḍom''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/whatis/language/origins.shtml|title=ROMANI Project - Manchester|website=Romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref> The language itself actually derives from an Indo-Aryan language. The Arabs referred to them as ''nawar/qurbaṭ'' as they were a nomadic people that originally immigrated to the Middle East from [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/downloads/2/Matras_legends.pdf|title=Two Domari Legends about the origins of the Doms|last=Matras|first=Yaron|date=2000|website=Romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref>
'''Domari''' is an endangered [[Indo-Aryan language]], spoken by [[Dom people]] scattered across the [[Middle East and North Africa]]. The language is reported to be spoken as far north as Azerbaijan and as far south as central Sudan, in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Syria and Lebanon.<ref name=Matras/> Based on the systematicity of sound changes, it is known with a fair degree of certainty that the names ''Domari'' and ''[[Romani people|Romani]]'' derive from the Indo-Aryan word ''ḍom''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/whatis/language/origins.shtml|title=ROMANI Project - Manchester|website=Romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref> However, the Domari and [[Romani language|Romani]] languages do not derive from the same ancestor idiom.<ref name="Matras2"/> Domari derives from an Indo-Aryan language. The Arabs referred to them as ''[[Nawar (people)|Nawar]]'' as they were a nomadic people that originally immigrated to the Middle East from the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/downloads/2/Matras_legends.pdf|title=Two Domari Legends about the origins of the Doms|last=Matras|first=Yaron|date=2000|website=Romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref>


Domari is also known as "Middle Eastern Romani", "Tsigene", "qurbat", or "nawar". There is no standard written form. In the [[Arab world]], it is occasionally written using the [[Arabic script]] and has many [[Arabic language|Arabic]] and [[Persian language|Persian]] loanwords.<ref>[http://www.domresearchcenter.com/journal/12/lebanon.html The Gypsies of Lebanon:] A DRC Update, April 2000,  
Domari is also known as "Middle Eastern Romani", "Tsigene", "Luti", or "Mehtar". There is no standard written form. In the [[Arab world]], it is occasionally written using the [[Arabic script]] and has many [[Arabic]] and [[Persian language|Persian]] loanwords.<ref>[http://www.domresearchcenter.com/journal/12/lebanon.html The Gypsies of Lebanon:] A DRC Update, April 2000,  
by Dr. G. A. Williams</ref> Descriptive work was done by Yaron Matras,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Matras |first=Yaron |date=1996 |title=''Domari'' |url= http://romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/downloads/2/Matras_Domari_ELL2.pdf |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics]] | editor-first= Keith | editor-last= Brown |location=Oxford | publisher= [[Elsevier]] }}</ref> who published a comprehensive grammar of the language along with an historical and dialectological evaluation of secondary sources (Matras 2012).
by Dr. G. A. Williams</ref> Descriptive work was done by Yaron Matras,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Matras |first=Yaron |date=1996 |title=''Domari'' |url= http://romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/downloads/2/Matras_Domari_ELL2.pdf |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics]] | editor-first= Keith | editor-last= Brown |location=Oxford | publisher= [[Elsevier]] }}</ref> who published a comprehensive grammar of the language along with a historical and dialectological evaluation of secondary sources (Matras 2012).


Domari can be divided into two main dialects, Southern Domari and Northern Domari.
Domari is an endangered language, as there is currently pressure to shift away from it in younger generations, according to Yaron Matras.{{cn|date=March 2022}} In certain areas such as Jerusalem, only about 20% of these Dom people, known as “Middle Eastern Gypsies”, speak the Domari language in everyday interactions. The language is mainly spoken by the elderly in the Jerusalem community. The younger generation are more influenced by Arabic, therefore most only know basic words and phrases. The modern-day community of Doms in Jerusalem was established by the nomadic people deciding to settle inside the Old City from 1940 until it came under Israeli administration in 1967 (Matras 1999).
The northern dialect is still spoken in Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, and maybe in Iran and Iraq. The majority of Doms speak Northern Domari, in Syria, the doms are still keeping their language and all children can speak fluently, according to Bruno Herin. 
 
According to Taron Matras, 2012 the Southern dialect is currently being shifted away from in younger. In certain areas such as Jerusalem, only about 20% of these Dom people, known as “Middle Eastern Gypsies”, speak the Domari language in everyday interactions. The language is mainly spoken by the elderly in the Jerusalem community. The younger generation is more influenced by Arabic, therefore most only know basic words and phrases. The modern-day community of Doms in Jerusalem was established by the nomadic people deciding to settle inside the Old City from 1940 until it came under Israeli administration in 1967 (Matras 1999).


== Dialects ==
== Dialects ==
Domari is divided into two main dialects, Northern Domari and Southern Domari. The Northern dialect is still spoken in Turkey and northern of the Levant (Syria, Lebanon) and has many speakers. The southern dialect is spoken in southern of the Levant (Palestine and Jorden) but has fewer speakers now.
There are now some studies and research in progress regarding the Northern dialects of Domari.
The best-known variety of Domari is Palestinian Domari, also known as "Syrian Gypsy", the dialect of the Dom community of [[Jerusalem]], which was described by [[R. A. Stewart Macalister|R.A. S. Macalister]] in the 1910s. Palestinian Domari is an endangered language, with fewer than 200 speakers, the majority of the 1,200 members of the Jerusalem Domari community being native speakers of Palestinian Arabic.
The best-known variety of Domari is Palestinian Domari, also known as "Syrian Gypsy", the dialect of the Dom community of [[Jerusalem]], which was described by [[R. A. Stewart Macalister|R.A. S. Macalister]] in the 1910s. Palestinian Domari is an endangered language, with fewer than 200 speakers, the majority of the 1,200 members of the Jerusalem Domari community being native speakers of Palestinian Arabic.


Other dialects include:
Other dialects include:
*[[Nawari]] in [[Syria]], [[Jordan]], [[Lebanon]], [[Israel]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]] and [[Egypt]].
*[[Nawari]] in [[Syria]], [[Jordan]], [[Lebanon]], [[Israel]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]] and [[Egypt]].
*Kurbati / qurbati in [[Syria]]
*Kurbati in [[Syria]]
*Helebi in Egypt, [[Libya]], [[Tunisia]], [[Algeria]] and [[Morocco]]
*Helebi in Egypt, [[Libya]], [[Tunisia]], [[Algeria]] and [[Morocco]]
*Halab/Ghajar in [[Sudan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3458001552.html|title=Peripatetics of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Sudan, and Yemen - Dictionary definition of Peripatetics of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Sudan, and Yemen - Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary|website=Encyclopedia.com|access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref>
*Halab/Ghajar in [[Sudan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3458001552.html|title=Peripatetics of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Sudan, and Yemen - Dictionary definition of Peripatetics of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Sudan, and Yemen - Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary|website=Encyclopedia.com|access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref>
Line 48: Line 43:
*Barake in [[Syria]]
*Barake in [[Syria]]


Some dialects may be highly divergent and not mutually intelligible. Published sources often lump together dialects of Domari and the various unrelated in-group vocabularies of diverse peripatetic populations in the Middle East. Thus the [[Ghorbati]] and [[Lyuli]] were previously thought to speak a dialect of Domari. There is also no obvious connection between Domari and the vocabulary used by the Helebi of Egypt (see discussion in Matras 2012, chapter 1).
Some dialects may be highly divergent and not mutually intelligible. Published sources often lump together dialects of Domari and the various unrelated in-group vocabularies of diverse peripatetic populations in the Middle East. Thus, the [[Ghorbati]] and [[Lyuli]] were previously thought to speak a dialect of Domari. There is also no obvious connection between Domari and the vocabulary used by the Helebi of Egypt (see discussion in Matras 2012, chapter 1).


The small [[Seb Seliyer language]] of Iran is distinctive in its core vocabulary.
The small [[Seb Seliyer language]] of Iran is distinctive in its core vocabulary.


== Status ==
== Status ==
Northern Domari
The northern dialect of Domari is in a good status, all children can speak Domari fluently, the language is still in use and some people started to write down the language with the Arabic alphabet. Right now many Syrian Doms are in France and Belgium and other European counties, they still use their language. According to Bruno Herin, the dom of Syria do not call their language Domari but dōmʋārī.
Southern Domari
In the 1940s, the Dom began to abandon their nomadic culture and began settling and working in the local economy. This led to the next phenomenon; the assimilation of ''Dom'' children in the primary school system which marked the first generation to grow up in an academic environment alongside Arab children. Consequently, this 1940 generation do not fluently speak the Domari language. Arabic replaced their native Domari, and became the language of cross-generation communication. In Jerusalem, it is estimated there are about 600-900 members of the ''Dom'' population in Jerusalem. Less than 10% can effectively communicate in Jerusalem Domari.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Matras|first=Yaron|title=Language contact, language endangerment, and the role of the 'salvation linguist'|journal=Language Documentation and Description|volume=3}}</ref>
In the 1940s, the Dom began to abandon their nomadic culture and began settling and working in the local economy. This led to the next phenomenon; the assimilation of ''Dom'' children in the primary school system which marked the first generation to grow up in an academic environment alongside Arab children. Consequently, this 1940 generation do not fluently speak the Domari language. Arabic replaced their native Domari, and became the language of cross-generation communication. In Jerusalem, it is estimated there are about 600-900 members of the ''Dom'' population in Jerusalem. Less than 10% can effectively communicate in Jerusalem Domari.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Matras|first=Yaron|title=Language contact, language endangerment, and the role of the 'salvation linguist'|journal=Language Documentation and Description|volume=3}}</ref>


== Comparison with Romani ==
== Comparison with Romani ==
Domari was once thought to be the "sister language" of [[Romani language|Romani]], the two languages having split after the departure from the Indian subcontinent, but more recent research suggests that the differences between them are significant enough to treat them as two separate languages within the [[Central zone|Central]] ([[Hindustani language|Hindustani]]) group of languages. The Dom and the Rom are most likely to be descendants of 2 different migration waves out of India, separated by several centuries.<ref name = What_is_Domari>{{Citation | title = What is Domari? | url = http://romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/files/21_domari.shtml|website=Romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk | access-date = 2008-07-23}}</ref><ref name = ROMANI_ORIGINS>{{Citation| title = ON ROMANI ORIGINS AND IDENTITY| url = http://www.radoc.net/radoc.php?doc=art_b_history_origins&lang=en&articles=true| website = Radoc.net| access-date = 2008-07-23| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717140132/http://www.radoc.net/radoc.php?doc=art_b_history_origins&lang=en&articles=true| archive-date = 2011-07-17| url-status = dead}}</ref>
Domari was once thought to be the "sister language" of [[Romani language|Romani]], the two languages having split after the departure from the Indian subcontinent, but more recent research suggests that the differences between them are significant enough to treat them as two separate languages within the [[Central zone|Central]] ([[Hindustani language|Hindustani]]) group of languages. The Dom and the Rom are most likely to be descendants of 2 different migration waves out of India,{{when|date=December 2021}}separated by several centuries.<ref name = What_is_Domari>{{Citation | title = What is Domari? | url = http://romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/files/21_domari.shtml|website=Romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk | access-date = 2008-07-23}}</ref><ref name = ROMANI_ORIGINS>{{Citation| title = ON ROMANI ORIGINS AND IDENTITY| url = http://www.radoc.net/radoc.php?doc=art_b_history_origins&lang=en&articles=true| website = Radoc.net| access-date = 2008-07-23| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717140132/http://www.radoc.net/radoc.php?doc=art_b_history_origins&lang=en&articles=true| archive-date = 2011-07-17| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="Matras2">{{Citation |last=Matras |first=Yaron |title=Domari |url=http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.694.7907 |access-date=2022-05-29 |last2=Domari |first2=Yaron Matras|page=2}}</ref> According to Matras:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Linguist List - Reviews Available for the Book |url=https://linguistlist.org/pubs/reviews/get-review.cfm?SubID=7571367 |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=linguistlist.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Friedman |first=Victor A. |date=2014 |title=A Grammar of Domari by Yaron Matras (review) |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/558424 |journal=Romani Studies |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=227–231 |issn=1757-2274}}</ref> {{Blockquote
|text=There is, in other words, no evidence that Domari and Romani ever constituted a single language, at any period in their development: but there is on the other hand plenty of evidence that they underwent shared developments as a result of sharing the same geo-linguistic environments during successive periods.
|author=Yaron Matras
|title=''A Grammar of Domari''
}}


There remain similarities between the two, aside from their shared [[Central zone]] Indic origin, indicating a period of shared history as itinerant populations in the Middle East. These include: shared archaisms, which have been lost in the Central Indo-Aryan languages over the millennia since Dom/Rom emigration, a series of innovations connecting them with the [[Northwestern zone]] group, indicating their route of migration out of India, and a number of radical syntactical changes, due to [[superstrate]] influence of Middle Eastern languages, including [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Arabic languages|Arabic]] and [[Byzantine Greek]].
There remain similarities between the two, aside from their shared [[Central zone]] Indic origin, indicating a period of shared history as itinerant populations in the Middle East. These include: shared archaisms, which have been lost in the Central Indo-Aryan languages over the millennia since Dom/Rom emigration, a series of innovations connecting them with the [[Northwestern zone]] group, indicating their route of migration out of India, and a number of radical syntactical changes, due to [[superstrate]] influence of Middle Eastern languages, including [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Arabic languages|Arabic]] and [[Byzantine Greek]].
Line 67: Line 61:
==Orthography==
==Orthography==
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2016}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2016}}
Since Domari is a minority Middle-Eastern language for a specific community of speakers, it did not have a standard orthography for many years; therefore many writers have used differing spelling systems (similarly to what happened with Ladino). Most Middle-Easterners used the Arabic script, while scholars made do with a modified Pan-Vlakh Latin-based alphabet.
Since Domari is a minority Middle-Eastern language for a specific community of speakers, it did not have a standard orthography for many years; therefore many writers have used differing spelling systems (similarly to what happened with Ladino). Most Middle-Easterners used the Arabic script, while scholars made do with a modified Pan-Vlakh Latin-based alphabet.


=== Modified Pan-Vlakh orthography ===
=== Modified Pan-Vlakh orthography ===
Line 96: Line 90:
| '''ʾ''' || ’ || /ʔ/ || ''ʾalefu'' || /ʔɑ·lɛ·fʊ/ || '''''ʾalefu-bêþah''''' alphabet
| '''ʾ''' || ’ || /ʔ/ || ''ʾalefu'' || /ʔɑ·lɛ·fʊ/ || '''''ʾalefu-bêþah''''' alphabet
|-
|-
| '''A a''' ||  || /ɑ/ || ''a'' || /ɑ/ || '''''arat''''' night
| '''A a''' ||  || /ɑ/ || ''a'' || /ɑ/ || '''''arat''''' night
|-
|-
| '''Â â''' || Ā ā || /aː/ || ''â'' || /aː/ || '''''âxir''''' last, final
| '''Â â''' || Ā ā || /aː/ || ''â'' || /aː/ || '''''âxir''''' last, final
|-
|-
| '''B b''' ||  || /b/ || ''be'' || /bɛ/ || '''''bâsbort''''' passport
| '''B b''' ||  || /b/ || ''be'' || /bɛ/ || '''''bâsbort''''' passport
|-
|-
| '''C c''' || * || * || ''ce'' || * || '''''Coke''''' (''Qôk'')
| '''C c''' || * || * || ''ce'' || * || '''''Coke''''' (''Qôk'')
|-
|-
| '''Ĉ ĉ''' || CH ch || /tʃ/ || ''ĉe'' || /tʃɛ/ || '''''ĉôna''''' boy
| '''Ĉ ĉ''' || CH ch || /tʃ/ || ''ĉe'' || /tʃɛ/ || '''''ĉôna''''' boy
|-
|-
| '''D d''' ||  || /d̪/ || ''de'' || /d̪ɛ/ || '''''dînar''''' dinar
| '''D d''' ||  || /d̪/ || ''de'' || /d̪ɛ/ || '''''dînar''''' dinar
|-
|-
| '''Ḍ ḍ''' ||  || /d̪ˤ/ || ''ḍe'' || /d̪ˤɛ/ || '''''ḍanḍ''''' tooth; '''''ḍêf''''' guest
| '''Ḍ ḍ''' ||  || /d̪ˤ/ || ''ḍe'' || /d̪ˤɛ/ || '''''ḍanḍ''''' tooth; '''''ḍêf''''' guest
|-
|-
| '''Ð ð''' || DH dh || /ð/ || ''ðe'' || /ðɛ/ || '''''ðawḥâʾ''''' dhow (small dinghy boat)
| '''Ð ð''' || DH dh || /ð/ || ''ðe'' || /ðɛ/ || '''''ðawḥâʾ''''' dhow (small dinghy boat)
|-
|-
| '''E e''' ||  || /ɛ/ || '''e'' || /ɛ/ || '''''eras''''' this
| '''E e''' ||  || /ɛ/ || '''e'' || /ɛ/ || '''''eras''''' this
|-
|-
| '''Ê ê''' || Ē ē || /eː/ || ''ê'' || /eː/ || '''''ĵêb''''' pocket
| '''Ê ê''' || Ē ē || /eː/ || ''ê'' || /eː/ || '''''ĵêb''''' pocket
|-
|-
| '''F f''' ||  || /f/~/ɸ/<sup>1</sup> || ''fe'' || /fɛ/ || '''''finĵân''''' cup
| '''F f''' ||  || /f/~/ɸ/<sup>1</sup> || ''fe'' || /fɛ/ || '''''finĵân''''' cup
|-
|-
| '''G g''' ||  || /ɡ/ || ''ge'' || /ɡɛ/ || '''''gêsu''''' wheat
| '''G g''' ||  || /ɡ/ || ''ge'' || /ɡɛ/ || '''''gêsu''''' wheat
|-
|-
| '''Ĝ ĝ''' || GH gh || /ɣ/~/ʁ/<sup>2</sup> || ''ĝe'' || /ɣɛ/ || '''''ĝassâle''''' washing machine, washer
| '''Ĝ ĝ''' || GH gh || /ɣ/~/ʁ/<sup>2</sup> || ''ĝe'' || /ɣɛ/ || '''''ĝassâle''''' washing machine, washer
|-
|-
| '''H h''' ||  || /h/ || ''he'' || /hɛ/ || '''''Hnûd''''' Indus (river)
| '''H h''' ||  || /h/ || ''he'' || /hɛ/ || '''''Hnûd''''' Indus (river)
|-
|-
| '''Ḥ ḥ''' ||  || /ħ/ || ''ḥe'' || /ħɛ/ || '''''ḥaqq''''' right
| '''Ḥ ḥ''' ||  || /ħ/ || ''ḥe'' || /ħɛ/ || '''''ḥaqq''''' right
|-
|-
| '''I i''' ||  || /ɪ/ || ''i'' || /ɪ/ || '''''Isrâʾîl''''' Israel
| '''I i''' ||  || /ɪ/ || ''i'' || /ɪ/ || '''''Isrâʾîl''''' Israel
|-
|-
| '''Î î''' || Ī ī || /iː/ || ''î'' || /iː/ || '''''nhîr''''' blood
| '''Î î''' || Ī ī || /iː/ || ''î'' || /iː/ || '''''nhîr''''' blood
|-
|-
| '''J j''' || * || * || ''je'' || * || '''''Jeep''''' (''Ĵîp'')
| '''J j''' || * || * || ''je'' || * || '''''Jeep''''' (''Ĵîp'')
|-
|-
| '''Ĵ ĵ''' || J j || /dʒ/ || ''ĵe'' || /dʒɛ/ || '''''ĵâr''''' neighbor
| '''Ĵ ĵ''' || J j || /dʒ/ || ''ĵe'' || /dʒɛ/ || '''''ĵâr''''' neighbor
|-
|-
| '''K k''' ||  || /k/ || ''ke'' || /k/ || '''''kâz''''' gas(oline), petrol
| '''K k''' ||  || /k/ || ''ke'' || /k/ || '''''kâz''''' gas(oline), petrol
|-
|-
| '''L l''' ||  || /l̪/ || ''le'' || /l̪ɛ/ || '''''Libnân''''' Lebanon
| '''L l''' ||  || /l̪/ || ''le'' || /l̪ɛ/ || '''''Libnân''''' Lebanon
|-
|-
| '''M m''' ||  || /m/ || ''me'' || /mɛ/ || '''''mâsûra''''' tube
| '''M m''' ||  || /m/ || ''me'' || /mɛ/ || '''''mâsûra''''' tube
|-
|-
| '''N n''' ||  || /n̪/~/ŋ/~/ɲ/<sup>3</sup> || ''ne'' || /n̪ɛ/ || '''''nohri''''' tomato
| '''N n''' ||  || /n̪/~/ŋ/~/ɲ/<sup>3</sup> || ''ne'' || /n̪ɛ/ || '''''nohri''''' tomato
|-
|-
| '''ʿ''' || ‘ || /ʕ/ || ''ʿayenu'' || /ʕɑ·jɛ·n̪ʊ/ || '''''ʿIbrânî''''' Hebrew
| '''ʿ''' || ‘ || /ʕ/ || ''ʿayenu'' || /ʕɑ·jɛ·n̪ʊ/ || '''''ʿIbrânî''''' Hebrew
|-
|-
| '''O o''' ||  || /ɔ/ || ''o'' || /ɔ/ || '''''oŝt''''' lip
| '''O o''' ||  || /ɔ/ || ''o'' || /ɔ/ || '''''oŝt''''' lip
|-
|-
| '''Ô ô''' || Ō ō || /oː/ || ''ô'' || /oː/ || '''''Dômarî''''' Domari
| '''Ô ô''' || Ō ō || /oː/ || ''ô'' || /oː/ || '''''Dômarî''''' Domari
|-
|-
| '''P p''' ||  || /p/ || ''pe'' || /pɛ/ || '''''ple''''' money, cash, moolah, funds
| '''P p''' ||  || /p/ || ''pe'' || /pɛ/ || '''''ple''''' money, cash, moolah, funds
|-
|-
| '''Q q''' ||  || /q/ || ''qe'' || /qɛ/ || '''''qayîŝ''''' food
| '''Q q''' ||  || /q/ || ''qe'' || /qɛ/ || '''''qayîŝ''''' food
|-
|-
| '''R r''' ||  || /r/~/ɾ/<sup>4</sup> || ''re'' || /rɛ/ || '''''rxîṣ''''' cheap
| '''R r''' ||  || /r/~/ɾ/<sup>4</sup> || ''re'' || /rɛ/ || '''''rxîṣ''''' cheap
|-
|-
| '''S s''' ||  || /s/ || ''se'' || /sɛ/ || '''''sûq''''' market(place)
| '''S s''' ||  || /s/ || ''se'' || /sɛ/ || '''''sûq''''' market(place)
|-
|-
| '''Ṣ ṣ''' ||  || /sˤ/ || ''ṣe'' || /sˤɛ/ || '''''ṣaḥafi''''' journalist, reporter
| '''Ṣ ṣ''' ||  || /sˤ/ || ''ṣe'' || /sˤɛ/ || '''''ṣaḥafi''''' journalist, reporter
|-
|-
| '''Ŝ ŝ''' || SH sh || /ʃ/ || ''ŝe'' || /ʃɛ/ || '''''ŝmâriya''''' chicken, poultry
| '''Ŝ ŝ''' || SH sh || /ʃ/ || ''ŝe'' || /ʃɛ/ || '''''ŝmâriya''''' chicken, poultry
|-
|-
| '''T t''' ||  || /t̪/ || ''te'' || /t̪ɛ/ || '''''turĵman''''' translator, interpreter
| '''T t''' ||  || /t̪/ || ''te'' || /t̪ɛ/ || '''''turĵman''''' translator, interpreter
|-
|-
| '''Ṭ ṭ''' ||  || /t̪ˤ/ || ''ṭe'' || /t̪ˤɛ/ || '''''ṭarmabil''''' (motor)car, motor vehicle, auto(mobile)
| '''Ṭ ṭ''' ||  || /t̪ˤ/ || ''ṭe'' || /t̪ˤɛ/ || '''''ṭarmabil''''' (motor)car, motor vehicle, auto(mobile)
|-
|-
| '''Þ þ''' || TH th || /θ/ || ''þe'' || /θɛ/ || '''''Þawrâ''''' Thor (the Norse god)
| '''Þ þ''' || TH th || /θ/ || ''þe'' || /θɛ/ || '''''Þawrâ''''' Thor (the Norse god)
|-
|-
| '''U u''' ||  || /ʊ/ || ''u'' || /ʊ/ || '''''ustâz''''' teacher, instructor, proctor
| '''U u''' ||  || /ʊ/ || ''u'' || /ʊ/ || '''''ustâz''''' teacher, instructor, proctor
|-
|-
| '''Û û''' || Ū ū || /uː/ || ''û'' || /uː/ || '''''ûyar''''' town, city, vicinity; '''''Til-Ûyar''''' Jerusalem
| '''Û û''' || Ū ū || /uː/ || ''û'' || /uː/ || '''''ûyar''''' town, city, vicinity; '''''Til-Ûyar''''' Jerusalem
|-
|-
| '''V v''' ||  || /v/~/β/<sup>5</sup> || ''ve'' || /vɛ/ || '''''vîsa''''' visa, affidavit; '''''qravat''''' cravat  
| '''V v''' ||  || /v/~/β/<sup>5</sup> || ''ve'' || /vɛ/ || '''''vîsa''''' visa, affidavit; '''''qravat''''' cravat  
|-
|-
| '''W w''' ||  || /w/ || ''we'' || /wɛ/ || '''''waqt''''' time
| '''W w''' ||  || /w/ || ''we'' || /wɛ/ || '''''waqt''''' time
|-
|-
| '''X x''' || KH kh || /x/~/χ/<sup>6</sup> || ''xe'' || /xɛ/ || '''''xarbûŝ''''' tent; '''''xârfân''''' sheep, lambs
| '''X x''' || KH kh || /x/~/χ/<sup>6</sup> || ''xe'' || /xɛ/ || '''''xarbûŝ''''' tent; '''''xârfân''''' sheep, lambs
|-
|-
| '''Y y''' ||  || /j/ || ''ye'' || /jɛ/ || '''''Yasûʿ''''' Jesus
| '''Y y''' ||  || /j/ || ''ye'' || /jɛ/ || '''''Yasûʿ''''' Jesus
|-
|-
| '''Z z''' ||  || /z/ || ''ze'' || /zɛ/ || '''''zard''''' gold; '''''zarf''''' envelope
| '''Z z''' ||  || /z/ || ''ze'' || /zɛ/ || '''''zard''''' gold; '''''zarf''''' envelope
|-
|-
| '''Ẓ ẓ''' ||  || /zˤ/ || ''ẓe'' || /zˤɛ/ || '''''ẓâbiṭ''''' officer
| '''Ẓ ẓ''' ||  || /zˤ/ || ''ẓe'' || /zˤɛ/ || '''''ẓâbiṭ''''' officer
|-
|-
| '''Ẑ ẑ''' || ZH zh || /ʒ/ || ''ẑe'' || /ʒɛ/ || '''''ẑbin''''' forehead
| '''Ẑ ẑ''' || ZH zh || /ʒ/ || ''ẑe'' || /ʒɛ/ || '''''ẑbin''''' forehead
|-
|-
| '''Ǝ ǝ''' || Ė ė || /ə/~/ʌ/<sup>7</sup> || ''ŝǝwaʾ'' || /ʃə·wɑʔ/ || '''''ŝǝwaʾ''''' shǝwaʾ, schwa
| '''Ǝ ǝ''' || Ė ė || /ə/~/ʌ/<sup>7</sup> || ''ŝǝwaʾ'' || /ʃə·wɑʔ/ || '''''ŝǝwaʾ''''' shǝwaʾ, schwa
|}
|}


''NOTES''
''NOTES''


'''§''' Spelling alternates are shown for certain of these sounds (i.e.: when typing on an ASCII or typewriter keyboard, or when/where computers cannot show the proper accented Domari letters); these alternates are also used on the KURI's ''Learn Domari'' article series.
'''§''' Spelling alternates are shown for certain of these sounds (i.e.: when typing on an ASCII or typewriter keyboard, or when/where computers cannot show the proper accented Domari letters); these alternates are also used on the KURI's ''Learn Domari'' article series.


'''<sup>1</sup>''' The letter ''fe'' may be sounded either as a labiodental /f/ or a bilabial [ɸ] fricative, depending on the context, or origin of a given word/name.
'''<sup>1</sup>''' The letter ''fe'' may be sounded either as a labiodental /f/ or a bilabial [ɸ] fricative, depending on the context, or origin of a given word/name.


'''<sup>2</sup>''' The letter ''ĝe'' usually represents a voiced velar fricative /ɣ/, but may be sounded as a velarolaryngeal [ʁ] in words/names derived from [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Persian language|Persian]], and [[Urdu]].
'''<sup>2</sup>''' The letter ''ĝe'' usually represents a voiced velar fricative /ɣ/, but may be sounded as a velarolaryngeal [ʁ] in words/names derived from [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Persian language|Persian]], and [[Urdu]].


'''<sup>3</sup>''' The letter ''ne'' usually represents a voiced dental nasal /n̪/; however, it manifests as a velar [ŋ] before the letters ''g ĝ k q x'', but as a palatal [ɲ] before the letters ''ĉ ĵ y''.
'''<sup>3</sup>''' The letter ''ne'' usually represents a voiced dental nasal /n̪/; however, it manifests as a velar [ŋ] before the letters ''g ĝ k q x'', but as a palatal [ɲ] before the letters ''ĉ ĵ y''.


'''<sup>4</sup>''' The letter ''re'' represents a flapped [ɾ] or a trilled [r] rhotative resonant continuant, depending on the position within a word/name, and whether it appears singly or doubly.
'''<sup>4</sup>''' The letter ''re'' represents a flapped [ɾ] or a trilled [r] rhotative resonant continuant, depending on the position within a word/name, and whether it appears singly or doubly.


'''<sup>5</sup>''' The letter ''ve'' shows up mainly in words and names derived from foreign loans, and may represent either a voiced labiodental /v/ or a voiced bilabial [β] fricative.
'''<sup>5</sup>''' The letter ''ve'' shows up mainly in words and names derived from foreign loans, and may represent either a voiced labiodental /v/ or a voiced bilabial [β] fricative.


'''<sup>6</sup>''' The letter ''xe'' (pronounced as ''KHEH'') usually represents a voiceless velar fricative /x/, but usually is sounded as a velarolaryngeal /χ/ one in scores of loan words/loan names which are derived from [[Arabic]], [[Persian language|Persian]], and [[Urdu]].
'''<sup>6</sup>''' The letter ''xe'' (pronounced as ''KHEH'') usually represents a voiceless velar fricative /x/, but usually is sounded as a velarolaryngeal /χ/ one in scores of loan words/loan names which are derived from [[Arabic]], [[Persian language|Persian]], and [[Urdu]].


'''<sup>7</sup>''' The vowel letter called ''ŝǝwaʾ'' (its name derives from the cognate Hebrew vowel point for this very same sound) represents the mean-mid central spread neutral vowel as it exists in the English words ''about'', ''taken'', ''pencil'', ''lemon'', and ''circus''. While its normal manifestation is indeed [ə], it may vary in the direction of either a higher-mid [ʌ] or a fronted lower-mid [ɜ] one, depending on the dialect spoken.
'''<sup>7</sup>''' The vowel letter called ''ŝǝwaʾ'' (its name derives from the cognate Hebrew vowel point for this very same sound) represents the mean-mid central spread neutral vowel as it exists in the English words ''about'', ''taken'', ''pencil'', ''lemon'', and ''circus''. While its normal manifestation is indeed [ə], it may vary in the direction of either a higher-mid [ʌ] or a fronted lower-mid [ɜ] one, depending on the dialect spoken.


*'''*''': The plain (unaccented) letters ''c'' and ''j'' are only found in foreign loan words and loan names, as shown in the above table.
*'''*''': The plain (unaccented) letters ''c'' and ''j'' are only found in foreign loan words and loan names, as shown in the above table.


==== Keyboard Layout ====
==== Keyboard Layout ====
Line 250: Line 244:
!Back
!Back
|-
|-
|'''High'''
!'''High'''
|ɪ iː
|ɪ iː
|
|
|ʊ uː
|ʊ uː
|-
|-
|'''Mid'''
!'''Mid'''
|ɛ eː
|ɛ eː
|ə ~ [ʌ] ~ [ɜ]
|ə ~ [ʌ] ~ [ɜ]
|ɔ oː
|ɔ oː
|-
|-
|'''Low'''
!'''Low'''
|
|
|ɑ aː
|ɑ aː
|
|
|}
|}


=== Consonants ===
=== Consonants ===
Most of these consonants are influenced by Palestinian Arabic such as gemination; however, consonants such as [p], [g], [tʃ] and [h] are not found in the local dialect. There is speculation among linguists that these sounds are considered a part of the pre-Arabic component. Alveopalatal affricates such as [tʃ] and [dʒ] are also consonants that differ in sound from Arabic.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IHl7M2CpTMkC&q=domari+phonology&pg=PR13|title=A Grammar of Domari|last=Matras|first=Yaron|date=2012-10-01|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=9783110291421|language=en}}</ref>
Most of these consonants are influenced by Palestinian Arabic such as gemination; however, consonants such as [p], [g], [tʃ] and [h] are not found in the local dialect. There is speculation among linguists that these sounds are considered a part of the pre-Arabic component. Alveopalatal affricates such as [tʃ] and [dʒ] are also consonants that differ in sound from Arabic.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IHl7M2CpTMkC&q=domari+phonology&pg=PR13|title=A Grammar of Domari|last=Matras|first=Yaron|date=2012-10-01|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=9783110291421|language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |
Line 396: Line 390:


=== Stress ===
=== Stress ===
The biggest difference in expression of language between Arabic and Domari is where the stress is placed. Arabic has phoneme-level stress while Domari is a language of word-level stress. The Domari language emphasizes stress on the final syllable, as well as grammatical markers for gender and number. Most nouns, besides proper nouns, adopted from Arabic sound distinct because of the unique stresses in Domari (Matras 1999). Domari is thought to have borrowed a lot of words and grammatical structure from Arabic; however, this is not entirely true. Complex verbs and most core prepositions did not transfer into the realms of grammar of the Domari language. The syntactic typology remains independent of Arabic influence. It also important to note that the numerals used by the ''Doms'' were inherited from Kurdish. Even though Domari was influenced by local Arabic, the language also felt the impacts of Kurdish and certain dialects of Iranian in the grammar of the language.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=The Domari Language of Aleppo (Syria)|journal=Linguistic Discovery|volume=10 |issue=2}}</ref>
The biggest difference in expression of language between Arabic and Domari is where the stress is placed. Arabic has phoneme-level stress while Domari is a language of word-level stress. The Domari language emphasizes stress on the final syllable, as well as grammatical markers for gender and number. Most nouns, besides proper nouns, adopted from Arabic sound distinct because of the unique stresses in Domari (Matras 1999). Domari is thought to have borrowed a lot of words and grammatical structure from Arabic; however, this is not entirely true. Complex verbs and most core prepositions did not transfer into the realms of grammar of the Domari language. The syntactic typology remains independent of Arabic influence. It also important to note that the numerals used by the ''Doms'' were inherited from Kurdish. Even though Domari was influenced by local Arabic, the language also felt the impacts of Kurdish and certain dialects of Iranian in the grammar of the language.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=The Domari Language of Aleppo (Syria)|journal=Linguistic Discovery|volume=10 |issue=2}}</ref>


== Numerals ==
== Numerals ==
Here is a table of the numerals (1-10, 20, and 100) in [[Hindi]], [[Romani language|Romani]], Domari, [[Lomavren language|Lomavren]], and [[Persian language|Persian]] for comparison.
Here is a table of the numerals (1-10, 20, and 100) in [[Hindi]], [[Romani language|Romani]], Domari, [[Lomavren language|Lomavren]], Kurdish and [[Persian language|Persian]] for comparison.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Numeral !! Hindi !! Romani !! Domari !! Lomavren !! Persian
! Numeral !! Hindi !! Romani !! Domari !! Lomavren !! Kurdish !! Persian
|-
|-
| 1 || ek || ekh, jekh || yek, yika || yak, yek || yak, yek
| 1 || ek || ekh, jekh || yek, yika || yak, yek || yak || yek
|-
|-
| 2 || do || duj || dî || luy || du, do
| 2 || do || duj || dî || luy || du ||do
|-
|-
| 3 || tīn || trin || tirin || tərin || se
| 3 || tīn || trin || tirin || tərin || se||se
|-
|-
| 4 || cār || štar || ŝtar || iŝdör || čahār/čār
| 4 || cār || štar || ŝtar || iŝdör || čwar/čar||čahār/čār
|-
|-
| 5 || pāñc || pandž || panĵ || penĵ || panǰ
| 5 || pāñc || pandž || panĵ || penĵ || penc||panǰ
|-
|-
| 6 || chay || šov || ŝaŝ || ŝeŝ || ʃaʃ, ʃeʃ
| 6 || chay || šov || ŝaŝ || ŝeŝ || ŝaŝ || ʃeʃ
|-
|-
| 7 || sāt || ifta || hawt, hoft || haft || haft
| 7 || sāt || ifta || hawt, hoft || haft || hawt||haft
|-
|-
| 8 || āt̥h || oxto || hayŝt, haytek || haŝt || hašt
| 8 || āt̥h || oxto || hayŝt, haytek || haŝt || hašt ||hašt
|-
|-
| 9 || nau || inja || nu || nu || nuh, noh
| 9 || nau || inja || nu || nu || no||nuh, noh
|-
|-
| 10 || das || deš || dez || las || dah
| 10 || das || deš || dez || las ||da|| dah
|-
|-
| 20 || bīs || biš || wîs || vist || bist
| 20 || bīs || biš || wîs || vist || bist||bist
|-
|-
| 100 || sau || šel || say || say || sad
| 100 || sau || šel || say || say || sa(d),sat||sad
|}
|}


Line 441: Line 435:
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/gypsy-ii Windfuhr Gernot L. Gypsy ii. Gypsy Dialects] in Encyclopædia Iranica, Online Edition. 2002.
* [http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/gypsy-ii Windfuhr Gernot L. Gypsy ii. Gypsy Dialects] in Encyclopædia Iranica, Online Edition. 2002.
*[https://archive.is/20060202163809/http://www.llc.manchester.ac.uk/Research/Projects/romani/files/21_domari.shtml Description of Domari from the Romani Project]
*[https://archive.today/20060202163809/http://www.llc.manchester.ac.uk/Research/Projects/romani/files/21_domari.shtml Description of Domari from the Romani Project]
*[http://www.domresearchcenter.com/journal/12/domari1.html Learning Domari] - from the Dom Research Centre
*[http://www.domresearchcenter.com/journal/12/domari1.html Learning Domari] - from the Dom Research Centre
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100402143158/http://www.wix.com/domarisociety/domari-society-website More Information and Official Website of the Dom People]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100402143158/http://www.wix.com/domarisociety/domari-society-website More Information and Official Website of the Dom People]
Line 448: Line 442:
{{navboxes|
{{navboxes|
|list=
|list=
{{Languages of Azerbaijan}}
{{Languages of Algeria}}
{{Languages of Algeria}}
{{Languages of Egypt}}
{{Languages of Egypt}}
{{Languages of Iran}}
{{Languages of Iraq}}
{{Languages of Iraq}}
{{Languages of Israel}}
{{Languages of Libya}}
{{Languages of Libya}}
{{Languages of Morocco}}
{{Languages of Morocco}}
{{Languages of Syria}}
{{Languages of Syria}}
{{Languages of Sudan}}
{{Languages of Sudan}}
{{Languages of Syria}}
{{Languages of Tunisia}}
{{Languages of Tunisia}}
{{Languages of Turkey}}
{{Western Indo-Aryan languages}}
{{Western Indo-Aryan languages}}
}}
}}
Line 461: Line 460:
[[Category:Indo-Aryan languages]]
[[Category:Indo-Aryan languages]]
[[Category:Dom people|Language]]
[[Category:Dom people|Language]]
[[Category:Languages of Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Languages of Azerbaijan]]
[[Category:Languages of Sudan]]
[[Category:Languages of Morocco]]
[[Category:Languages of Algeria]]
[[Category:Languages of Egypt]]
[[Category:Languages of Egypt]]
[[Category:Languages of Iran]]
[[Category:Languages of Iran]]
Line 469: Line 471:
[[Category:Languages of Libya]]
[[Category:Languages of Libya]]
[[Category:Languages of the State of Palestine]]
[[Category:Languages of the State of Palestine]]
[[Category:Languages of Sudan]]
[[Category:Languages of Syria]]
[[Category:Languages of Syria]]
[[Category:Languages of Turkey]]
[[Category:Languages of Turkey]]
[[Category:Romani in Egypt]]
[[Category:Severely endangered languages]]
[[Category:Romani in Iraq]]
[[Category:Romani in Israel]]
[[Category:Romani in Jordan]]
[[Category:Romani in Lebanon]]
[[Category:Romani in Libya]]
[[Category:Romani in Tunisia]]
[[Category:Romani in Algeria]]
[[Category:Romani in Morocco]]
[[Category:Romani in the State of Palestine]]
[[Category:Romani in Sudan]]
[[Category:Romani in Syria]]

Latest revision as of 19:16, 1 June 2022


Domari
Dōmʋārī, Dōmʋārī ǧib, Dômarî ĵib, דּוֹמָרִי ,دٛومَرِي
Native toAzerbaijan, Mauritania, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Israel, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Sudan, and perhaps neighboring countries[1]
RegionMiddle East and North Africa, Caucasus, Central Asia
EthnicityDom
Native speakers
281,670 (2015)[2]
Dialects
  • Northern Domari
  • Southern Domari
Latin, Arabic, Hebrew
Language codes
ISO 639-3rmt
Glottologdoma1258
Lang Status 40-SE.png
Domari is classified as Severely Endangered by the UNESCO
Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger

Domari is an endangered Indo-Aryan language, spoken by Dom people scattered across the Middle East and North Africa. The language is reported to be spoken as far north as Azerbaijan and as far south as central Sudan, in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Syria and Lebanon.[1] Based on the systematicity of sound changes, it is known with a fair degree of certainty that the names Domari and Romani derive from the Indo-Aryan word ḍom.[4] However, the Domari and Romani languages do not derive from the same ancestor idiom.[5] Domari derives from an Indo-Aryan language. The Arabs referred to them as Nawar as they were a nomadic people that originally immigrated to the Middle East from the Indian subcontinent.[6]

Domari is also known as "Middle Eastern Romani", "Tsigene", "Luti", or "Mehtar". There is no standard written form. In the Arab world, it is occasionally written using the Arabic script and has many Arabic and Persian loanwords.[7] Descriptive work was done by Yaron Matras,[8] who published a comprehensive grammar of the language along with a historical and dialectological evaluation of secondary sources (Matras 2012).

Domari is an endangered language, as there is currently pressure to shift away from it in younger generations, according to Yaron Matras.[citation needed] In certain areas such as Jerusalem, only about 20% of these Dom people, known as “Middle Eastern Gypsies”, speak the Domari language in everyday interactions. The language is mainly spoken by the elderly in the Jerusalem community. The younger generation are more influenced by Arabic, therefore most only know basic words and phrases. The modern-day community of Doms in Jerusalem was established by the nomadic people deciding to settle inside the Old City from 1940 until it came under Israeli administration in 1967 (Matras 1999).

Dialects[edit]

The best-known variety of Domari is Palestinian Domari, also known as "Syrian Gypsy", the dialect of the Dom community of Jerusalem, which was described by R.A. S. Macalister in the 1910s. Palestinian Domari is an endangered language, with fewer than 200 speakers, the majority of the 1,200 members of the Jerusalem Domari community being native speakers of Palestinian Arabic.

Other dialects include:

Some dialects may be highly divergent and not mutually intelligible. Published sources often lump together dialects of Domari and the various unrelated in-group vocabularies of diverse peripatetic populations in the Middle East. Thus, the Ghorbati and Lyuli were previously thought to speak a dialect of Domari. There is also no obvious connection between Domari and the vocabulary used by the Helebi of Egypt (see discussion in Matras 2012, chapter 1).

The small Seb Seliyer language of Iran is distinctive in its core vocabulary.

Status[edit]

In the 1940s, the Dom began to abandon their nomadic culture and began settling and working in the local economy. This led to the next phenomenon; the assimilation of Dom children in the primary school system which marked the first generation to grow up in an academic environment alongside Arab children. Consequently, this 1940 generation do not fluently speak the Domari language. Arabic replaced their native Domari, and became the language of cross-generation communication. In Jerusalem, it is estimated there are about 600-900 members of the Dom population in Jerusalem. Less than 10% can effectively communicate in Jerusalem Domari.[10]

Comparison with Romani[edit]

Domari was once thought to be the "sister language" of Romani, the two languages having split after the departure from the Indian subcontinent, but more recent research suggests that the differences between them are significant enough to treat them as two separate languages within the Central (Hindustani) group of languages. The Dom and the Rom are most likely to be descendants of 2 different migration waves out of India,[when?]separated by several centuries.[11][12][5] According to Matras:[13][14]

There is, in other words, no evidence that Domari and Romani ever constituted a single language, at any period in their development: but there is on the other hand plenty of evidence that they underwent shared developments as a result of sharing the same geo-linguistic environments during successive periods.

— Yaron Matras, A Grammar of Domari

There remain similarities between the two, aside from their shared Central zone Indic origin, indicating a period of shared history as itinerant populations in the Middle East. These include: shared archaisms, which have been lost in the Central Indo-Aryan languages over the millennia since Dom/Rom emigration, a series of innovations connecting them with the Northwestern zone group, indicating their route of migration out of India, and a number of radical syntactical changes, due to superstrate influence of Middle Eastern languages, including Persian, Arabic and Byzantine Greek.

Orthography[edit]

Since Domari is a minority Middle-Eastern language for a specific community of speakers, it did not have a standard orthography for many years; therefore many writers have used differing spelling systems (similarly to what happened with Ladino). Most Middle-Easterners used the Arabic script, while scholars made do with a modified Pan-Vlakh Latin-based alphabet.

Modified Pan-Vlakh orthography[edit]

In 2012, Yaron Matras used such a system in his recent publications on this subject where the Pan-Vlakh orthography served as a basis, with several modifications:

  • Romani j changed to y
  • Romani c use limited to the accented form č for /tʃ/, the /dʒ/ counterpart being denoted by dž
  • Doubled vowel letters for long vowels (aa ee ii oo uu)
  • Diphthongs denoted with vowel pairs (ai au ei eu oi and so on ... )
  • Additional letters in use for Semitic-derived words and names (ḍ ḥ ṣ ṭ ẓ ġ q ‘ ’ and so on ... )

Pan-Domari Alphabet[edit]

A new Semitic-flavored Latin-based pan-alphabet has recently been introduced by some scholars for the purpose of codifying written Domari.

The Pan-Domari Alphabet, which was invented in 2015, is a Semitic-flavored simplification of the previous Matras notation:

  • Y is used for /j/, and w for /w/—like in English
  • X is used for the sound /x/—the well-known guttural {kh} of Greek, Russian, and Middle Eastern languages
  • Q stands for /q/, the uvular plosive sound heard in the Semitic languages
  • Circumflexes are used to mark long vowels <â ê î ô û> and certain fricative/affricate consonants <ĉ ĝ ĵ ŝ ẑ> (={ch gh j sh zh})
  • Underdots under letters represent pharyngeal(-ized) consonants <ḍ ḥ ṣ ṭ ẓ> (IPA /d̪ˤ ħ sˤ t̪ˤ zˤ/)
  • Other letters include þ (thorn) and ð (edh) for the interdental fricatives /θ ð/, the characters <ʾ> (ʾalef/hamzaʾ—IPA /ʔ/) and <ʿ> (ʿayn—IPA /ʕ/), and the letter <ə> for the vowel sound shəwaʾ.
  • The diphthongs are now denoted by vowel + approximant digraphs <ay aw ey ew oy ... >.

The Pan-Domari Alphabet is shown in this table:

Letter Alternate§ IPA Letter Name In IPA Example
ʾ ’ /ʔ/ ʾalefu /ʔɑ·lɛ·fʊ/ ʾalefu-bêþah alphabet
A a /ɑ/ a /ɑ/ arat night
 â Ā ā /aː/ â /aː/ âxir last, final
B b /b/ be /bɛ/ bâsbort passport
C c * * ce * Coke (Qôk)
Ĉ ĉ CH ch /tʃ/ ĉe /tʃɛ/ ĉôna boy
D d /d̪/ de /d̪ɛ/ dînar dinar
Ḍ ḍ /d̪ˤ/ ḍe /d̪ˤɛ/ ḍanḍ tooth; ḍêf guest
Ð ð DH dh /ð/ ðe /ðɛ/ ðawḥâʾ dhow (small dinghy boat)
E e /ɛ/ 'e /ɛ/ eras this
Ê ê Ē ē /eː/ ê /eː/ ĵêb pocket
F f /f/~/ɸ/1 fe /fɛ/ finĵân cup
G g /ɡ/ ge /ɡɛ/ gêsu wheat
Ĝ ĝ GH gh /ɣ/~/ʁ/2 ĝe /ɣɛ/ ĝassâle washing machine, washer
H h /h/ he /hɛ/ Hnûd Indus (river)
Ḥ ḥ /ħ/ ḥe /ħɛ/ ḥaqq right
I i /ɪ/ i /ɪ/ Isrâʾîl Israel
Î î Ī ī /iː/ î /iː/ nhîr blood
J j * * je * Jeep (Ĵîp)
Ĵ ĵ J j /dʒ/ ĵe /dʒɛ/ ĵâr neighbor
K k /k/ ke /k/ kâz gas(oline), petrol
L l /l̪/ le /l̪ɛ/ Libnân Lebanon
M m /m/ me /mɛ/ mâsûra tube
N n /n̪/~/ŋ/~/ɲ/3 ne /n̪ɛ/ nohri tomato
ʿ ‘ /ʕ/ ʿayenu /ʕɑ·jɛ·n̪ʊ/ ʿIbrânî Hebrew
O o /ɔ/ o /ɔ/ oŝt lip
Ô ô Ō ō /oː/ ô /oː/ Dômarî Domari
P p /p/ pe /pɛ/ ple money, cash, moolah, funds
Q q /q/ qe /qɛ/ qayîŝ food
R r /r/~/ɾ/4 re /rɛ/ rxîṣ cheap
S s /s/ se /sɛ/ sûq market(place)
Ṣ ṣ /sˤ/ ṣe /sˤɛ/ ṣaḥafi journalist, reporter
Ŝ ŝ SH sh /ʃ/ ŝe /ʃɛ/ ŝmâriya chicken, poultry
T t /t̪/ te /t̪ɛ/ turĵman translator, interpreter
Ṭ ṭ /t̪ˤ/ ṭe /t̪ˤɛ/ ṭarmabil (motor)car, motor vehicle, auto(mobile)
Þ þ TH th /θ/ þe /θɛ/ Þawrâ Thor (the Norse god)
U u /ʊ/ u /ʊ/ ustâz teacher, instructor, proctor
Û û Ū ū /uː/ û /uː/ ûyar town, city, vicinity; Til-Ûyar Jerusalem
V v /v/~/β/5 ve /vɛ/ vîsa visa, affidavit; qravat cravat
W w /w/ we /wɛ/ waqt time
X x KH kh /x/~/χ/6 xe /xɛ/ xarbûŝ tent; xârfân sheep, lambs
Y y /j/ ye /jɛ/ Yasûʿ Jesus
Z z /z/ ze /zɛ/ zard gold; zarf envelope
Ẓ ẓ /zˤ/ ẓe /zˤɛ/ ẓâbiṭ officer
Ẑ ẑ ZH zh /ʒ/ ẑe /ʒɛ/ ẑbin forehead
Ǝ ǝ Ė ė /ə/~/ʌ/7 ŝǝwaʾ /ʃə·wɑʔ/ ŝǝwaʾ shǝwaʾ, schwa

NOTES

§ Spelling alternates are shown for certain of these sounds (i.e.: when typing on an ASCII or typewriter keyboard, or when/where computers cannot show the proper accented Domari letters); these alternates are also used on the KURI's Learn Domari article series.

1 The letter fe may be sounded either as a labiodental /f/ or a bilabial [ɸ] fricative, depending on the context, or origin of a given word/name.

2 The letter ĝe usually represents a voiced velar fricative /ɣ/, but may be sounded as a velarolaryngeal [ʁ] in words/names derived from Arabic, Persian, and Urdu.

3 The letter ne usually represents a voiced dental nasal /n̪/; however, it manifests as a velar [ŋ] before the letters g ĝ k q x, but as a palatal [ɲ] before the letters ĉ ĵ y.

4 The letter re represents a flapped [ɾ] or a trilled [r] rhotative resonant continuant, depending on the position within a word/name, and whether it appears singly or doubly.

5 The letter ve shows up mainly in words and names derived from foreign loans, and may represent either a voiced labiodental /v/ or a voiced bilabial [β] fricative.

6 The letter xe (pronounced as KHEH) usually represents a voiceless velar fricative /x/, but usually is sounded as a velarolaryngeal /χ/ one in scores of loan words/loan names which are derived from Arabic, Persian, and Urdu.

7 The vowel letter called ŝǝwaʾ (its name derives from the cognate Hebrew vowel point for this very same sound) represents the mean-mid central spread neutral vowel as it exists in the English words about, taken, pencil, lemon, and circus. While its normal manifestation is indeed [ə], it may vary in the direction of either a higher-mid [ʌ] or a fronted lower-mid [ɜ] one, depending on the dialect spoken.

  • *: The plain (unaccented) letters c and j are only found in foreign loan words and loan names, as shown in the above table.

Keyboard Layout[edit]

A Pan-Domari Alphabet ASDF keyboard layout is to be made available for MS-Windows users, which is based on the United States English layout, albeit with C, J, and some punctuation signs being reassigned to <ALTGR>/<SHIFT<>ALTGR>, to make room for needed Domari characters.

Key Pan-Domari

ASDF

United States

English

Notes
C Ĉ ĉ C c The plain (unaccented) form only occurs in certain loans.
J Ĵ ĵ J J The unaccented C and J only appear in unassimilated foreign loans.
, ? , < , The less than sign is reassigned to the <ALTGR> levels.
! > .

Phonology[edit]

Vowels[edit]

There are five main vowel sounds, however this inventory shows the variation and quantity of short vowels. Most are interchangeable with a vowel sound next to it, however all of the sounds produced above are identical to the local Palestinian Arabic (Matras 1999).

Front Central Back
High ɪ iː ʊ uː
Mid ɛ eː ə ~ [ʌ] ~ [ɜ] ɔ oː
Low ɑ aː

Consonants[edit]

Most of these consonants are influenced by Palestinian Arabic such as gemination; however, consonants such as [p], [g], [tʃ] and [h] are not found in the local dialect. There is speculation among linguists that these sounds are considered a part of the pre-Arabic component. Alveopalatal affricates such as [tʃ] and [dʒ] are also consonants that differ in sound from Arabic.[15]

Bilabial Labiodental Dental Postalveolar Palatal Velar Uvular Pharyngeal Glottal
plain phar.
Stop voiceless p t̪ t̪ˤ k q ʔ
voiced b d̪ d̪ˤ g [ɢ]
Affricate voiceless t͡ʃ
voiced d͡ʒ
Fricative voiceless [ɸ] f s̪ s̪ˤ ʃ x [χ] ħ h
voiced [β] v z̪ z̪ˤ ʒ ɣ [ʁ] ʕ
Nasal m n̪ [ŋ]
Approximant [ʋ] l̪ j w
Flap ɾ

Stress[edit]

The biggest difference in expression of language between Arabic and Domari is where the stress is placed. Arabic has phoneme-level stress while Domari is a language of word-level stress. The Domari language emphasizes stress on the final syllable, as well as grammatical markers for gender and number. Most nouns, besides proper nouns, adopted from Arabic sound distinct because of the unique stresses in Domari (Matras 1999). Domari is thought to have borrowed a lot of words and grammatical structure from Arabic; however, this is not entirely true. Complex verbs and most core prepositions did not transfer into the realms of grammar of the Domari language. The syntactic typology remains independent of Arabic influence. It also important to note that the numerals used by the Doms were inherited from Kurdish. Even though Domari was influenced by local Arabic, the language also felt the impacts of Kurdish and certain dialects of Iranian in the grammar of the language.[16]

Numerals[edit]

Here is a table of the numerals (1-10, 20, and 100) in Hindi, Romani, Domari, Lomavren, Kurdish and Persian for comparison.

Numeral Hindi Romani Domari Lomavren Kurdish Persian
1 ek ekh, jekh yek, yika yak, yek yak yek
2 do duj dî luy du do
3 tīn trin tirin tərin se se
4 cār štar ŝtar iŝdör čwar/čar čahār/čār
5 pāñc pandž panĵ penĵ penc panǰ
6 chay šov ŝaŝ ŝeŝ ŝaŝ ʃeʃ
7 sāt ifta hawt, hoft haft hawt haft
8 āt̥h oxto hayŝt, haytek haŝt hašt hašt
9 nau inja nu nu no nuh, noh
10 das deš dez las da dah
20 bīs biš wîs vist bist bist
100 sau šel say say sa(d),sat sad

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Matras (2012)
  2. ↑ Template:Ethnologue19
  3. ↑ Template:E19
  4. ↑ "ROMANI Project - Manchester". Romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Matras, Yaron; Domari, Yaron Matras, Domari, p. 2, retrieved 2022-05-29
  6. ↑ Matras, Yaron (2000). "Two Domari Legends about the origins of the Doms" (PDF). Romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  7. ↑ The Gypsies of Lebanon: A DRC Update, April 2000, by Dr. G. A. Williams
  8. ↑ Matras, Yaron (1996). "Domari" (PDF). In Brown, Keith (ed.). Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics. Oxford: Elsevier.
  9. ↑ "Peripatetics of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Sudan, and Yemen - Dictionary definition of Peripatetics of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Sudan, and Yemen - Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  10. ↑ Matras, Yaron. "Language contact, language endangerment, and the role of the 'salvation linguist'". Language Documentation and Description. 3.
  11. ↑ "What is Domari?", Romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk, retrieved 2008-07-23
  12. ↑ "ON ROMANI ORIGINS AND IDENTITY", Radoc.net, archived from the original on 2011-07-17, retrieved 2008-07-23
  13. ↑ "Linguist List - Reviews Available for the Book". linguistlist.org. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  14. ↑ Friedman, Victor A. (2014). "A Grammar of Domari by Yaron Matras (review)". Romani Studies. 24 (2): 227–231. ISSN 1757-2274.
  15. ↑ Matras, Yaron (2012-10-01). A Grammar of Domari. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 9783110291421.
  16. ↑ "The Domari Language of Aleppo (Syria)". Linguistic Discovery. 10 (2).

Further reading[edit]

  • Herin, B. (2012). "The Domari language of Aleppo (Syria)" Linguistic Discovery 10 (2), 1-52.
  • Herin, B. (2014). "The Northern Dialects of Domari," Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft 164 (2): 407–450.
  • Matras, Y. (1999). "The state of present-day Domari in Jerusalem." Mediterranean Language Review 11, 1–58.
  • Matras, Y. (2002). Romani: a linguistic introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Matras, Y. (2012). A grammar of Domari. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton (Mouton Grammar Library).

External links[edit]

Template:Dom people

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Domari_language&oldid=315006"