Handbook of Vlax Romani [Paperback]

Ian F. Hancock (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Slavica Pub (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0893572586
• ISBN-13: 978-0893572587
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,296,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Romani Scholar's Dream, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Handbook of Vlax Romani (Paperback)

I first acquired this book during Prof. Hancock's course taught at the University of Texas. Being a lover of languages, I was dismayed to see a lack of grammars or lexicons for Romani. This book is the definitive guide to Romani written in English. Do not expect a simple "Teach Yourself Romani in 30 days" work here; this book reflects both Hancock's linguistic background and an expectation of the reader's.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best and the only, January 12, 2008

By 

A reader (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handbook of Vlax Romani (Paperback)

I would ay that this is the best work out there in English on Vlax Romani, and that is because it is the only, as far as I know. Notwithstanding, it is a good book, providing an in-depth description of the Vlax Romani language for the learner. Grammar is presented clearly and difficult items are given an explanation designed for laymen, not linguists. A large and informative section on the various spelling systems in use is provided, and a solid description of the phonology is also given, slightly tainted by attitude. He calls linguistic borrowing, a normal process when languages are in contact, "interference", namely, other languages interfered with Romani. If you take that attitude, then a hundred or so languages have "interfered" with English, which has been and still is a prolific borrower of lexical items. Overall, the book is a great description of Vlax Romani, useful to both the classroom and the self learner. If you're interested in the language, get it while it's still in print - it's all you've got.