The language spoken by Travellers is called Gammon or Cant and which name they use for it depends on their family background. However they are basically the same with small differences of vocabulary. It is largely an unwritten language. The 86,000 or so Irish Travellers throughout the world in Great Britain, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada speak different forms of this language.

We thank Mrs. Sally Connors for her help with this part of the project.

Click on any of the English phrases to the right to listen to Sally Connors talk about them in Gammon.

(These are Real Audio files. If you don't have the Real Player (available free) click here to download it.

Some more examples of Gammon:

Numerals: One - niuc, Two - ód, Three - sícer, Four - seácer, Five - súcer, Six - sé

Christian names: Patrick - Stoffirt, John - Gisán, Thomas - Mútás, Michael - Srikel, Martin - Sartin, Brigid - Ríbín, Winnifred - Grútín, Mary - Srani, Catherine - Sraterine

Phrases and sayings:

The Mother of God bless you – The Naderum of the Dhalun inoc you

Fine talk, but poor (Empty vessels make most sound) – Buri tarim but gami

Tell me and I’ll tell you – Laisk my jeel and my jeel will laisk your gilhairt

Fine day – laisiuil talosc

Gammon is taught from birth and only within the travelling community. It is not taught in any school. Only Irish Travellers can speak it; only Irish Travellers can understand it.

Our Father
Gaater a goikhil,
swurth asturth Nyedas a Daalyon,
swudal Duilsha's Linska,
Duilsha's Sreedug toari,
Duilsha's Lag graydied,
shedi Ladu arark asturth Nyedas a Daalyon.
Goathi mweelshas talosk minyurth goshta dura
a getcha mweelshas' shakos arark mweels getcha shakors ar mo-djeels,
a lag mweelsha needjaish sheert grup a-gamee-ath,
a medjri awasth a gamee-okh.
Staish.