Exploring the Languages in Peaky Blinders: Romani or Romanian?

Peaky Blinders, a critically acclaimed British television series, is known for its rich portrayal of early 20th-century Birmingham. One aspect that often fascinates fans is the linguistic authenticity of the Gypsy characters. A common question that arises is whether the characters in Peaky Blinders speak Romani, Romanian, or even a fictional language. Let's delve into this intriguing linguistic conundrum.

Language of the Gypsies: Romani or Romanian?

Peaky Blinders features Gypsy characters, and the language they speak is a topic of debate among fans. The Romani language is the primary language of the Roma people, who are often referred to as Gypsies. Romani is an Indo-Aryan language, closely related to Hindi, Punjabi, and Bengali. However, in the show, the characters speak a blend of Romanian and a garbled version of Romani. This raises the question of whether the show's creators made a conscious decision or if it was a mistake.

Shelta: Another Gypsy Language?

In addition to Romani, there is another language associated with Gypsies: Shelta. Shelta is a language traditionally spoken by Irish Travellers and is distinct from Romani. While Shelta is not prominently featured in the show, it is an interesting linguistic point of comparison. Irish Travellers often have a distinct language and culture, which can make them easily recognizable within the British context.

Language Choices in Peaky Blinders

Several factors likely influenced the show's language choices. Firstly, the historical context plays a crucial role. While Romani is the authentic language of the Roma people, it would have been very difficult to depict an accurate representation of early 20th-century Gypsies speaking solely in Romani. The showrunners may have opted for Romanian due to its proximity in sound to Romani, making it a more accessible language for English-speaking actors and audiences.

Additionally, the scriptwriters might have chosen Romanian to simplify the linguistic challenges faced during production. Romanian is a Romance language, which might have been easier for the cast to learn compared to the complex and diverse dialects of Romani, which has many local variations. Moreover, many Romani communities living in Romania speak Romanian as a second language, making it a practical choice for audiences to understand the dialogue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Peaky Blinders incorporates elements of Romani culture, the language spoken by the Gypsy characters is a mix of Romanian and a garbled version of Romani. This decision could have been made to balance linguistic authenticity with practical considerations for the show's production. Peaky Blinders, while not always strictly adhering to authentic linguistic practices, provides an entertaining and engaging portrayal of Gypsy life in early 20th-century Birmingham.

For those interested in the linguistic authenticity of Gypsy culture, it's important to note that the series represents a blend of traditions and languages. While Romani is the authentic language of the Roma people, Romanian was a practical and accessible choice for the show. As such, the language in Peaky Blinders reflects both historical accuracy and the show's narrative needs.