Klezmer-loshn
Encyclopedia
Klezmer-loshn is an extinct derivative of the Yiddish language. It was a slang
or argot
used by travelling Jewish musicians, known as klezmorim
(klezmers), in Eastern Europe
prior to the 20th century.
It combined Yiddish with loanwords from many other European languages. This borrowed vocabulary was often substituted for key Yiddish words using rhyme
or some other form of association. Many of the words were neither Yiddish nor Slavic derived but made up.
As with other argots, such as thieves' languages, Klezmer-loshn evolved to fill the need of members of a bounded community to speak in the presence of others without being understood. Klezmorim could speak Klezmer-loshn during and after performances, whether among Gentiles or Yiddish-speaking Jews
, without being understood. This allowed them to discuss business, plan, and even mock others without getting into trouble.
Its active use gradually dwindled in the 20th century, and disappeared along with the klezmer trade in Eastern Europe, especially after the Holocaust
obliterated much of the Jewish population there.
The most detailed glossary of klezmer-loshn of over 600 words can be found in "The Book of Klezmer: The History, The Music, The Folklore from the 14th Century to the 21st" (A Capella Books, 2002, author Yale Strom
).
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
or argot
Argot
An Argot is a secret language used by various groups—including, but not limited to, thieves and other criminals—to prevent outsiders from understanding their conversations. The term argot is also used to refer to the informal specialized vocabulary from a particular field of study, hobby, job,...
used by travelling Jewish musicians, known as klezmorim
Klezmorim
Klezmorim can refer to:*Musicians who play klezmer, a style of music originating with the Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe*The Klezmorim, a klezmer band...
(klezmers), in Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
prior to the 20th century.
It combined Yiddish with loanwords from many other European languages. This borrowed vocabulary was often substituted for key Yiddish words using rhyme
Rhyme
A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounds in two or more words and is most often used in poetry and songs. The word "rhyme" may also refer to a short poem, such as a rhyming couplet or other brief rhyming poem such as nursery rhymes.-Etymology:...
or some other form of association. Many of the words were neither Yiddish nor Slavic derived but made up.
As with other argots, such as thieves' languages, Klezmer-loshn evolved to fill the need of members of a bounded community to speak in the presence of others without being understood. Klezmorim could speak Klezmer-loshn during and after performances, whether among Gentiles or Yiddish-speaking Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
, without being understood. This allowed them to discuss business, plan, and even mock others without getting into trouble.
Its active use gradually dwindled in the 20th century, and disappeared along with the klezmer trade in Eastern Europe, especially after the Holocaust
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
obliterated much of the Jewish population there.
The most detailed glossary of klezmer-loshn of over 600 words can be found in "The Book of Klezmer: The History, The Music, The Folklore from the 14th Century to the 21st" (A Capella Books, 2002, author Yale Strom
Yale Strom
Yale Strom is a pioneer among klezmer revivalists in conducting extensive field research in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans among the Jewish and Rom communities since 1981. Initially, his work focused primarily on the use and performance of klezmer music between these two groups...
).
See also
- ArgotArgotAn Argot is a secret language used by various groups—including, but not limited to, thieves and other criminals—to prevent outsiders from understanding their conversations. The term argot is also used to refer to the informal specialized vocabulary from a particular field of study, hobby, job,...
- CantCant (language)A Cant is the jargon or argot of a group, often implying its use to exclude or mislead people outside the group.-Derivation in Celtic linguistics:...
- Yeshivish
- YinglishYinglishYinglish words are neologisms created by speakers of Yiddish in English-speaking countries, sometimes to describe things that were uncommon in the old country...