Beurla Reagaird
Beurla Reagaird | |
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Region | Scottish Highlands |
Indo-European
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Early forms | |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | – |
Beurla Reagaird (Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈpjɤːrˠl̪ˠə ˈɾɛkərˠtʲ]; previously also spelled Beurla Reagair or Beurla-reagaird) is a nearly extinct, Scottish Gaelic-based cant used by the indigenous Traveller community of the Highlands of Scotland, formerly often referred to by the disparaging name "tinkers".[1][2]
Name
Beurla Reagaird loosely translates as 'speech of metalworkers' in reference to their traditional occupation of being traveling tinsmiths.[3] Although Beurla today refers to the English language, its original meaning is that of 'jargon' (from Old Irish bélre, bél 'mouth' plus the abstract forming suffix -re),[4] with the second element being linked to the word eagar 'order, array, arrangement' (compare with the Irish Béarla na Saor 'speech of the smiths').[5]
See also
References
- ISBN 1-902806-30-1
- ^ "Beurla-reagaird (Travellers' Gaelic Cant)". Am Baile. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ISBN 0-85389-832-4.
- ISBN 0-901771-68-6.
- ISBN 0-86241-576-4.