1834.] 



Hidory of the Rcnnoossies. 



132 



Mharata country has been such, that their original language has 

 been nearly lost. — few of them being able to express themselves in 

 it, and then only in short "sentences. It is seldom used by them 

 except when busily employed in plundering, or when they wish to 

 communicate something secretly in the presence of other persons. 

 They will then endeavour to express themselves as well as they can 

 in their own language, — otherwise, they merely introduce a few 

 necessary words in their conversation in Mharata, so as to prevent 

 those present from discovering what they are talking about. 



They appear to have been very cautious in preventing their lan- 

 guage from becoming known to any other persons than those of 

 their tribe ; for, all that the inhabitants know, is, that the Ramoos- 

 sies have a language peculiar to themselves, and with which the 

 other members of the community are unacquainted. 



They have often addressed themselves to me in this language, 

 when they were anxious that I should interrogate any person present 

 on any particular subject ; but more especially when they wished 

 to obtain a favour for themselves ; or when they were interested 

 about any of their friends that were involved in difficulties. The 

 following is a specimen of it. 



The words to which a cross is affixed are evidently Teloogoo. 

 They frequently use the plural number instead of the singular. 



A man, MachuU 



An old man, Moodorf 



A woman, Ardub, Artoolf 



Peteet 

 A European, Arnall 

 A Brahmin, Parggiah 

 MoosuUman, Malour 

 A Dhere, or Mhar, Shydoll 

 A Mang, Ambooj 

 A merchant, Bumgger 

 A Ramoossy, Boyill, Boiggiah 

 A thief, Mootchf 

 A robbery, (Durrorrah) Tutch 

 A house, Gooroos, 

 Bread, KoormuUf 

 A meal, Taglah 

 Tobacco, Pogguh f 

 A hare, Koodull f 

 A deer, Seekull 

 A hill, Gooduck f 

 Goor, (sugar) Bellum ^ 

 Gold, Nenne 

 Day, Phukkut 



Silver, Dumkut 



Night, Ryne f 



Pyse, (copper coin) Moorull 



Hot, Ley Seeth 



Cold, Bujoty 



Fire, Seeth 



A gun, Doobuk f 



A bow and Arrow, PoorkuU 



A sword, Kuttool f 



A stick, Burg^gellf 



A village, Oorrhf 



A town, Pudhuhf Oorrh 



A road, Terroof 



Water, Neerlhf 



Rain, Wannuf 



Milk, Pallf 



Horse, Goorrumf 



Bullocks, Edoollf 



Cow, Avullf 



Buffalo, Ennum, 



Sheep, Gourell 



A dog, KookoUf 



Goat, Mekurf 



