George Borrow, Luis de Usoz y sus respectivos vocabularios gitanos

Abstract

In this article the relationship between the Gypsy vocabulary of George Borrow’s book The Zincali (1841) and the manuscript vocabulary of Luis de Usoz y Río is analysed. Against former interpretations, that pointed to an original character of Usoz’s work and to its use by Borrow as a source for his own vocabulary, an alternative hypothesis is formulated here: ‘Usoz’s vocabulary’ was elaborated also by Borrow, who intended to add it to his translation of Luke’s Gospel (1838). This was not possible due to the opposition of the Biblical Society of London, responsible for publishing the translation. Later, this first Caló dictionary compiled by Borrow served him as a starting point for the definitive vocabulary of The Zincali. However, this does not minimize the importance of Usoz’s manuscript, because around hundred words found in this vocabulary are missing for unknown reasons from the vocabulary of The Zincali.