第 59 节
作者:指环王      更新:2024-01-24 16:00      字数:9322
  still remain; preserved by memory amongst the Gitanos; its
  grammatical peculiarities have disappeared; the entire language
  having been modified and subjected to the rules of Spanish grammar;
  with which it now coincides in syntax; in the conjugation of verbs;
  and in the declension of its nouns。  Were it possible or necessary
  to collect all the relics of this speech; they would probably
  amount to four or five thousand words; but to effect such an
  achievement; it would be necessary to hold close and long
  intercourse with almost every Gitano in Spain; and to extract; by
  various means; the peculiar information which he might be capable
  of affording; for it is necessary to state here; that though such
  an amount of words may still exist amongst the Gitanos in general;
  no single individual of their sect is in possession of one…third
  part thereof; nor indeed; we may add; those of any single city or
  province of Spain; nevertheless all are in possession; more or
  less; of the language; so that; though of different provinces; they
  are enabled to understand each other tolerably well; when
  discoursing in this their characteristic speech。  Those who travel
  most are of course best versed in it; as; independent of the words
  of their own village or town; they acquire others by intermingling
  with their race in various places。  Perhaps there is no part of
  Spain where it is spoken better than in Madrid; which is easily
  accounted for by the fact; that Madrid; as the capital; has always
  been the point of union of the Gitanos; from all those provinces of
  Spain where they are to be found。  It is least of all preserved in
  Seville; notwithstanding that its Gitano population is very
  considerable; consisting; however; almost entirely of natives of
  the place。  As may well be supposed; it is in all places best
  preserved amongst the old people; their children being
  comparatively ignorant of it; as perhaps they themselves are in
  comparison with their own parents。  We are persuaded that the
  Gitano language of Spain is nearly at its last stage of existence;
  which persuasion has been our main instigator to the present
  attempt to collect its scanty remains; and by the assistance of the
  press; rescue it in some degree from destruction。  It will not be
  amiss to state here; that it is only by listening attentively to
  the speech of the Gitanos; whilst discoursing amongst themselves;
  that an acquaintance with their dialect can be formed; and by
  seizing upon all unknown words as they fall in succession from
  their lips。  Nothing can be more useless and hopeless than the
  attempt to obtain possession of their vocabulary by inquiring of
  them how particular objects and ideas are styled; for with the
  exception of the names of the most common things; they are totally
  incapable; as a Spanish writer has observed; of yielding the
  required information; owing to their great ignorance; the shortness
  of their memories; or rather the state of bewilderment to which
  their minds are brought by any question which tends to bring their
  reasoning faculties into action; though not unfrequently the very
  words which have been in vain required of them will; a minute
  subsequently; proceed inadvertently from their mouths。
  We now take leave of their language。  When wishing to praise the
  proficiency of any individual in their tongue; they are in the
  habit of saying; 'He understands the seven jargons。'  In the Gospel
  which we have printed in this language; and in the dictionary which
  we have compiled; we have endeavoured; to the utmost of our
  ability; to deserve that compliment; and at all times it will
  afford us sincere and heartfelt pleasure to be informed that any
  Gitano; capable of appreciating the said little works; has
  observed; whilst reading them or hearing them read:  It is clear
  that the writer of these books understood
  THE SEVEN JARGONS。
  ON ROBBER LANGUAGE; OR; AS IT IS CALLED IN SPAIN; GERMANIA
  'So I went with them to a music booth; where they made me almost
  drunk with gin; and began to talk their FLASH LANGUAGE; which I did
  not understand。' … Narrative of the Exploits of Henry Simms;
  executed at Tyburn; 1746。
  'Hablaronse los dos en Germania; de lo qual resulto darme un
  abraco; y ofrecerseme。' … QUEVEDO。 Vida dal gran Tacano。
  HAVING in the preceding article endeavoured to afford all necessary
  information concerning the Rommany; or language used by the Gypsies
  amongst themselves; we now propose to turn our attention to a
  subject of no less interest; but which has hitherto never been
  treated in a manner calculated to lead to any satisfactory result
  or conclusion; on the contrary; though philosophic minds have been
  engaged in its consideration; and learned pens have not disdained
  to occupy themselves with its details; it still remains a singular
  proof of the errors into which the most acute and laborious writers
  are apt to fall; when they take upon themselves the task of writing
  on matters which cannot be studied in the closet; and on which no
  information can be received by mixing in the society of the wise;
  the lettered; and the respectable; but which must be investigated
  in the fields; and on the borders of the highways; in prisons; and
  amongst the dregs of society。  Had the latter system been pursued
  in the matter now before us; much clearer; more rational; and more
  just ideas would long since have been entertained respecting the
  Germania; or language of thieves。
  In most countries of Europe there exists; amongst those who obtain
  their existence by the breach of the law; and by preying upon the
  fruits of the labours of the quiet and orderly portion of society;
  a particular jargon or dialect; in which the former discuss their
  schemes and plans of plunder; without being in general understood
  by those to whom they are obnoxious。  The name of this jargon
  varies with the country in which it is spoken。  In Spain it is
  called 'Germania'; in France; 'Argot'; in Germany; 'Rothwelsch;' or
  Red Italian; in Italy; 'Gergo'; whilst in England it is known by
  many names; for example; 'cant; slang; thieves' Latin;' etc。  The
  most remarkable circumstance connected with the history of this
  jargon is; that in all the countries in which it is spoken; it has
  invariably; by the authors who have treated of it; and who are
  numerous; been confounded with the Gypsy language; and asserted to
  be the speech of those wanderers who have so long infested Europe
  under the name of Gitanos; etc。  How far this belief is founded in
  justice we shall now endeavour to show; with the premise that
  whatever we advance is derived; not from the assertions or opinions
  of others; but from our own observation; the point in question
  being one which no person is capable of solving; save him who has
  mixed with Gitanos and thieves; … not with the former merely or the
  latter; but with both。
  We have already stated what is the Rommany or language of the
  Gypsies。  We have proved that when properly spoken it is to all
  intents and purposes entitled to the appellation of a language; and
  that wherever it exists it is virtually the same; that its origin
  is illustrious; it being a daughter of the Sanscrit; and in
  consequence in close connection with some of the most celebrated
  languages of the East; although it at present is only used by the
  most unfortunate and degraded of beings; wanderers without home and
  almost without country; as wherever they are found they are
  considered in the light of foreigners and interlopers。  We shall
  now state what the language of thieves is; as it is generally
  spoken in Europe; after which we shall proceed to analyse it
  according to the various countries in which it is used。
  The dialect used for their own peculiar purposes amongst thieves is
  by no means entitled to the appellation of a language; but in every
  sense to that of a jargon or gibberish; it being for the most part
  composed of words of the native language of those who use it;
  according to the particular country; though invariably in a meaning
  differing more or less from the usual and received one; and for the
  most part in a metaphorical sense。  Metaphor and allegory; indeed;
  seem to form the nucleus of this speech; notwithstanding that other
  elements are to be distinguished; for it is certain that in every
  country where it is spoken; it contains many words differing from
  the language of that country; and which may either be traced to
  foreign tongues; or are of an origin at which; in many instances;
  it is impossible to