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Line 1: − + − + − + − Below is a list of some of the larger language groups with their local spellings and English transliterations (for non-latin text), clearly showing that their name has varied little in Europe from the 5th century BC Greek Σιγὐννας ('''Sigynnae''')<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>:+ + +
Easy reading rewording. Clearer text.
'''Gypsies''', (''alt. sp.'' Gipsy) also known as 'Romani','Roma'<ref>Donald Kenrick. Historical Dictionary of the Gypsies (Romanies). Scarecrow Press</ref> or 'Sigynnae'<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>, are an inherently nomadic [[ethnic]] group centered in regions of [[Romania]], but scattered across Europe and even into the bounds of Asia. They maintain their own distinctive culture regardless of their host cultural groups. Their current population is estimated to be approximately 15 million, but accurate data remains elusive due to their nomadic lifestyle.<ref>http://europeandcis.undp.org/uploads/public/File/rbec_web/vgr/chapter1.1.pdf</ref>
'''Gypsies''', (''alt. sp.'' Gipsy) also known as 'Romani','Roma'<ref>Donald Kenrick. Historical Dictionary of the Gypsies (Romanies). Scarecrow Press</ref> or 'Sigynnae', 'Sigynnas'<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>, are an inherently nomadic [[ethnic]] group centered in regions of [[Romania]], but scattered across Europe and even into the bounds of Asia. They maintain their own distinctive culture regardless of their host cultural groups. Their current population is estimated to be approximately 15 million, but accurate data remains elusive due to their nomadic lifestyle.<ref>http://europeandcis.undp.org/uploads/public/File/rbec_web/vgr/chapter1.1.pdf</ref>
=Etymology=
=Etymology=
Our English name of ''Gypsy'' stems from the word ''Egyptian'', as many believed that their darker skin tones indicated an Egyptian origin.
Our English name of ''Gypsy'' stems from the word ''Egyptian'', as many believed that their darker skin tones indicated an Egyptian origin.
Yet the vast majority of European language groups maintain variations synonymous with [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] '''Sigynnae''' (Greek:Σιγὐννας, Si-gy-nas)<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>, a term that 5th century Greeks equated with "hucksters", small trader; which would be most consistent with stereotypical depictions of this cultural group.
Yet as regarding the origins of name ''Sigynnae'' most commonly coming to the English world through [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] ''Histories'', the English speaker is oft left in doubt concluding that "The Sigynnae were an obscure people of antiquity. They are variously located by ancient authors."<ref>Wikipedia, ''Sigynnae'', 16 January 2021</ref> But a quick panarama of Europe's language groups and there is no doubt as to who these people were. For the vast majority of European language groups maintain variations synonymous with [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] '''Sigynnae''' (Greek:Σιγὐννας, Si-gy-nas)<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>, a term that 5th century Greeks equated as being synonymous with "hucksters", small trader; which would be most consistent with stereotypical depictions of this cultural group. You will find this view presented below in the section ''Language Group Examples''.
[[Herodotus]] also notes that their name was used in [[Cyprus]] for "spears".<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref> On this point Sir J. L. Myres implied that their must have been a connection between what is known as the "Sigynna Spear" (a thin bladed throwing spear produced amidst the iron-working culture of [[Hallstatt]], Austria) and this cultural group: thereby indicating an arms trade and an explanation of why the Cyprians used their name such.
[[Herodotus]] also notes that their name was used in [[Cyprus]] for "spears".<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref> On this point Sir J. L. Myres stated that their must have been a connection between what is known as the "Sigynna Spear" (a thin bladed throwing spear produced amidst the iron-working culture of [[Hallstatt]], Austria) and this cultural group: the implication naturally alludes to an arms trade and an explanation of why the Cyprians used their name such.
==Language Group Examples==
==Language Group Examples==
As discussed above regarding '''Sigynnae''', we have collected below is a list of some of the larger language groups with their local spellings and English transliterations (for non-latin text), clearly showing that their name has varied little in Europe from [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] 5th century BC Greek Σιγὐννας ('''Sigynnas''')<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>. We have emboldened the transliterations / Latin script for easy comparison:
Bulgarian: циганин, '''tsiganin'''; Romanian: '''țigan'''; Serbian: циганин, '''ciganin'''; Macedonian: циган, '''cigan'''; Russian: цыганка, '''tsyganka'''; Ukranian: циганка, '''tsyhanka'''; Albanian: '''cigan'''; Croatian: '''ciganka'''; Czech: '''cikán'''; Slovak: '''cikán'''; Slovenian: '''ciganka'''; Lithuanian: '''čigonas'''; Latvian: '''čigāniete'''; Turkish: '''Çingene'''; German: '''Zigeuner''' (masculine) & '''Zigeunerin''' (feminine); Polish: '''cygański'''; Hungarian: '''cigány'''; Italian: '''zingaro''' (masculine) '''zingara''' (feminine); Danish: '''sigøjner'''; Norwegian: '''sigøyner'''; Swedish: '''zigenare'''; Fresian: '''sigeuner'''; Dutch: '''zigeuner'''; Luxembourgish: '''Zigeinerin'''; Portugese: '''cigano''' (masculine) '''cigana''' (feminine); Esperanto: '''cigano'''.
Bulgarian: циганин, '''tsiganin'''; Romanian: '''țigan'''; Serbian: циганин, '''ciganin'''; Macedonian: циган, '''cigan'''; Russian: цыганка, '''tsyganka'''; Ukranian: циганка, '''tsyhanka'''; Albanian: '''cigan'''; Croatian: '''ciganka'''; Czech: '''cikán'''; Slovak: '''cikán'''; Slovenian: '''ciganka'''; Lithuanian: '''čigonas'''; Latvian: '''čigāniete'''; Turkish: '''Çingene'''; German: '''Zigeuner''' (masculine) & '''Zigeunerin''' (feminine); Polish: '''cygański'''; Hungarian: '''cigány'''; Italian: '''zingaro''' (masculine) '''zingara''' (feminine); Danish: '''sigøjner'''; Norwegian: '''sigøyner'''; Swedish: '''zigenare'''; Fresian: '''sigeuner'''; Dutch: '''zigeuner'''; Luxembourgish: '''Zigeinerin'''; Portugese: '''cigano''' (masculine) '''cigana''' (feminine); Esperanto: '''cigano'''.
Clearly the English, French and Spanish speaking worlds have lost the historical connection of what we now call ''Gypsies'', but the majority of these languages have preserved the Sigynnae's history embedded within themselves: thus the ancient Sigynnae are the Gypsies.
=History=
=History=