Subject
German language -- Slang Books
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The Book of Vagabonds and Beggars, with a Vocabulary of Their Language
"The Book of Vagabonds and Beggars, with a Vocabulary of Their Language" by Luther et al. is an anonymously authored text first printed around 1509-1510. This German work catalogues twenty-eight types of wandering beggars in medieval society, exposing their alleged deceptive practices and fraudulent methods for soliciting alms. The book includes a glossary of Rotwelsch, the secret cant used by vagrants. Martin Luther later edited editions, adding a preface discouraging charity to itinerant beggars—a controversial stance that would shape attitudes toward poverty and almsgiving.
Engelbert Wittich
Die jenische Sprache
"Die jenische Sprache" by Engelbert Wittich is a scholarly work focused on a specific language, written in the early 20th century. This publication explores the unique lexicon of the Jenisch language, which is associated with itinerant traders and is heavily influenced by both the German and Romani languages. The text serves as a vital resource for understanding this increasingly rare and complex jargon. At the start of the work, the author sets the stage by noting the gradual decline of the Jenisch language, likening its documentation to that of languages on the verge of extinction. Wittich's personal background, having grown up among traders and possibly being of Romani descent, lends credibility to his exploration of this secretive lexicon. The opening provides an overview of the structure of the work, which includes an introduction, a comprehensive vocabulary list, and examples of the language in use, all aimed at preserving and clarifying this unique dialect for scholarly pursuits.
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