This volume offers new perspectives on the Romani experience from voices that speak with authority and authenticity. Eminent scholar Professor Ian Hancock (University of Texas at Austin) explores how the study of linguistics has shed light on the origins of the Roma.

Dr Adrian Marsh considers the discrimination and prejudice faced by the Gypsies of Turkey whilst Valdemar Kalinin considers the construction of the history of the Roma in Russia.

Dr Brian Belton and Damian Le Bas offer their views on the seemingly elusive idea of Gypsy identity, while Janet Keet-Black argues strongly for the value of exploring personal and family histories.

With its broad survey of international Gypsy politics and culture, this collection brings together the leading Romani scholars of the day in wide-ranging and engaging scholarship.

Contents

Editor's preface
Damian Le Bas

Introduction: a new turning point in the debates over the history and origins of Roma/Gypsies Travellers
Professor Thomas Acton

1. Mind The Doors! The contribution of linguistics
Professor Ian Hancock

2. The Gypsies in Turkey: history, ethnicity and identity — an action research strategy in practice
Dr Adrian Marsh

3. Knowing Gypsies
Dr Brian Belton

4. The construction of the history of the Roma in the ‘Great Land’ (Russia): notions of Roma history and identity in Imperial, Soviet and post-Soviet Russia
Valdemar Kalinin

5. The possible implications of diasporic consciousness for Romani identity
Damian Le Bas

6. The importance of the Romany and Traveller Family History Society (RTFHS)
Janet Keet-Black

7. The RTFHS: a special family history society
Michael Wayne Jones

Afterword: Rom, Roma, Romani, Kale, Gypsies, Travellers, and Sinti… pick a name and stick with it, already!
Gregor Dufunia Kwiek