Revitalizing Romani through Hindi and Sanskrit: A Theoretical Critique of Contemporary Lexical Strategies

Rosenberg (Arató), Mátyás (2024) Revitalizing Romani through Hindi and Sanskrit: A Theoretical Critique of Contemporary Lexical Strategies. In: 12. ROMOLÓGUS KONFERENCIA. Gypsy Studies – Cigány Tanulmányok (50). Bölcsészettudományi Kar Neveléstudományi Intézet, Romológia és Nevelésszociológia Tanszék – Romológiai Kutatóközpont, Pécs, pp. 184-206.

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Abstract

Efforts to expand the lexicon of the Romani language encompass a broad range of language planning strategies, including borrowing from local languages, internal word formation, the adoption of internationalisms, and the Hindist-Sanskritist approach. This study examines the effectiveness and limitations of these strategies in the context of sustaining the Romani language. Findings indicate that borrowing from local languages remains the most natural mechanism of lexical enrichment, although it intensifies bilingual pressures and may accelerate language shift. Internal word formation, often driven by purist ideologies, relies on limited morphological resources and is insufficient to address lexical gaps independently. Internationalisms may facilitate interdialectal communication, but in the absence of standardized codification, their integration remains inconsistent and unregulated across dialects. The Hindist-Sanskritist approach, which introduces lexemes of Indic origin, lacks both linguistic and sociolinguistic justification. Given the centuries- long disconnection between Romani and its Indian linguistic roots, the incorporation of modern Hindi and Sanskrit elements does not reflect natural linguistic continuity, often resulting in phonological, morphological, and semantic inconsistencies. Furthermore, this approach disregards community-based linguistic practices and does not sufficiently engage speaker communities in the revitalization process, rendering the neologisms artificial and socially unanchored. The study underscores the necessity of community participation in language planning and argues that sustainable Romani language development must rely on professionally grounded, historically informed strategies that respect speaker agency and avoid externally imposed linguistic constructs divorced from natural usage patterns.

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