The Structure of Hungarian Roma Groups in Light of Linguistic Changes
The Structure of Hungarian Roma Groups in Light of Linguistic Changes

Summary/Abstract: Hungarian Gypsies can be divided into three main linguistic groups that are also distinguished by having their own specific life-style: Magyar speaking Romungros, the Magyar- and Romani-speaking Vlach Gypsies, and the Romanian and Magyar-speaking Boyash Gypsies. This paper examines the changes in Hungarian Gypsy population based on the data of special Gypsy census of 1893 and national surveys carried out in 1971 and 1993/94. Between 1893 and 1971, the overall Hungarian Gypsy population increased five-fold, with number of Romungros growing four-fold, the Vlach Gypsies more than nine-fold and the Boyash Gypsies eight-fold. It is suggested that this striking expansion in Gypsy population can only be explained by massive immigration from Romania and, to a lesser degree, Serbia. Attention is also drawn to the continuous shift from the Romani to Magyar language – a trend that was already noted in the last century – but one that does not inevitably lead to a loss of Gypsy identity.

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