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Gypsies Are Angry With The Slanders In The Dictionary 10/11/2010

Slanders written in The Kubbealtı Big Turkish Dictionary targeting Gypsies got huge reaction. There is some adjectives like greedy, rapasious in the dictionary for the meaning of the word Gypsy. Gypsies want to take slanders off from the dictionary.

First edition of The Kubbealtı Big Turkish Dictionary was published by the Foundation of Kubbealtı Academy of Culture and Art in 2005. Then the second and third edition of the dictionary was published in 2006 and 2008. Slanders written in the dictionary as the meaning of the word Gypsy repeat prejudices have already become common among society. There are also some expressions in the dictionary which had important role for transferring of prejudices targeting Gypsies from one generation to the next. One of them got big reaction from prayerful Gypsies. Because it's claimed that religion of the Gypsies is fake and suspicious in the expression written in the dictionary.

Scholars evaluating the issue remind that there are some more expressions and uses of words insulting other ethnic and social groups in daily speaking. However there have never written these uses for meaning of names of other ethnic groups in dictionaries. This shows that the defence about the situation claiming to reflect general perception existing in society about Gypsies is not legitimate.

Scholars emphasize that writing of the expressions and uses of the word in dictionaries make prejudices stronger. Gypsies and all sensible citizens are waiting the publisher to take the expressions out the dictionary. However people are ready to take legal action against the publisher if nothing happens. Moreover a citizen sensible about the issue have already appealed Human Rights Commision of Turkish Parliament.

Here is the Slanders Written in The Dictionary:

"Gypsy:

1-A society whose origin is indefinite but being believed to migrate from India,..., mostly nomadic. Roma, Kıpti. 3-Greedy, Rapacious 4-Piker

Expressions:

Gypsy Loan: Small loan taken from someone.

Gypsy Plays, Kurd Dances: It's used for blowsy societies and places hugger-mugger

Gypsy Tent: Scrappy, scruffy places...

...

Gypsy Faith: Suspicious, insecure faith.

Gypsyness: 1. Being Gypsy. 2. Being greedy 3. Being rapacious.

..."

Source: Çingeneyiz İstanbul