Cygan czy Rom? Antropologiczna interpretacja sporu o słowa
Gypsy or Roma? Anthropological Interpretation of the Dispute over Words

Summary/Abstract: The authors who study Roma minorities analyse the dispute over the name of this group. In the Polish language there are two names: “Romowie” (Roma) and “Cyganie” (“Gypsies”). Many contemporary leaders of this community consider only the name “Romowie” appropriate and expect it to be used to refer to the group, arguing the name exists in the Romani language. They consider the notion “Cyganie” pejorative. There are, however, many opponents to the name “Romowie” among Roma, too. The dispute that unfolds within the community interlinks with the efforts Roma make to achieve the recognition of their globally scattered community as a nation. It is also an evidence of ethnic emancipation and transformations that the community experiences and that have been coined ‘Romanisation of “Cyganie”’ by Lech Mróz. The authors set out to interpret this situation using ethnographic material gathered among the Roma communities in Poland.

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