Romani, Sinte

A language of Germany

Sinte, Sinti, Sinto-Manush, Zigeuner

Autonym

Romanes

User Population

80,000 in Germany (2000). Ethnic population: 200,000. Total users in all countries: 209,300.

Location

Hamburg and Niedersachsen states: colonies south.

Language Maps

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia

Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (1998, ECRML, signed in November 1992 and ratified by the Federal Bundestag Implementation Act, Gazette, page 1314), Bundestag Resolution of June 1986 confirmed the need for improvement of living conditions and integration into society of the Germany Romany ethnic group. ECRML Initial Report (2002).

Classification

Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Northern

Dialects

Gadschkene, Estracharia, Krantiki, Kranaria, Eftawagaria, Praistiki. A member of macrolanguage Romany [rom].

Typology

Prepositions; noun head final; gender (animate, inanimate); definite and indefinite articles; case-marking (6 cases); comparatives; 25 consonants, 6 vowels, 4 diphthongs; non-tonal.

Language Use

Vigorous. Used by all. All also use Standard German [deu].

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced. Grammar. NT: 2010–2014.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Romani, Sinte

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Seminomadic. Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Austria

Language NameRomani, Sinte

User Population

6,270: All Romani in Austria (2003 UNSD).

Location

Upper Austria.

Alternate Names

Manuš, Romanes, Sinte, Sinti, Sintitikes

Language Status

5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (1993, Federal Act of 16 December).

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Croatia

Language NameRomani, Sinte

User Population

14,400 in Croatia (2011 census). Ethnic population: 17,000 (2011 census).

Location

Istria and Međimurje counties.

Alternate Names

Romanes, Sinte, Sinti

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial working language in Medjimurska county (2002, Constitutional Law on the Rights of Minorities, Article 15).

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Czechia

Language NameRomani, Sinte

User Population

5,100 in Czechia (2004).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Romanes, Sinte, Sinti, Tsigane

Dialects

Lallere.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2).

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Lallere ancestors came from Czechia. Ethnic group: Sasítka Romá. Christian.

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France

Language NameRomani, Sinte

User Population

28,400 in France (2000).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Romanes, Sinte, Sinti, Tsigane

Dialects

Manouche (Manuche, Manush).

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Ethnic group: Sasítka Romá. Christian.

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Italy

Language NameRomani, Sinte

User Population

14,000 in Italy (1980). 10,000 Manouche, 4,000 Slovenian-Croatian.

Location

Scattered in northern regions.

Alternate Names

Romanes, Sinte, Sinti

Dialects

Piedmont Sintí (Piedmontese Sinti), Slovenian-Croatian, Manouche, Venetian Sinti.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Kazakhstan

Language NameRomani, Sinte

User Population

6,100 in Kazakhstan (Leclerc 2017e).

Location

Major cities.

Alternate Names

Manouche, Manuche, Romanes, Sinte, Sinti, Tsigane

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Ethnic group: Sasítka Romá. Christian.

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Netherlands

Language NameRomani, Sinte

User Population

1,300 in Netherlands (2010 J. Leclerc).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Romanes, Sinte, Sinti

Dialects

Manouche.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Poland

Language NameRomani, Sinte

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Romanes, Sinte, Sinti, Tsigane

Dialects

Manuche (Manouche).

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Ethnic group: Sasítka Romá. Christian.

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Serbia

Language NameRomani, Sinte

User Population

39,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c).

Location

Belgrade City, Jablanica, Nišava, Pčinja, and Pirot districts; scattered in Kosovo.

Alternate Names

Romanes, Sasítka Romá, Sinte, Sinti

Dialects

Abbruzzesi, Slovenian-Croatian Romani, Serbian Romani. Mutual intelligibility between Croatian Romani, Slovenian Romani, and Serbian Romani. Possibly quite distinct from German [deu] varieties. Sinte is characterized by German influence. Not intelligible of Vlax Romani [rmy].

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced.

Other Comments

Christian.

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Switzerland

Language NameRomani, Sinte

User Population

21,000 in Switzerland (Johnstone 1993).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Romanes, Sinte, Sinti

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Romani, Sinte

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A language of Germany

Also spoken in:

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