The origins of Gypsies/Roma/Travellers: The limitations of a standpoint approach

Abstract

Using the exonym currently politically correct in UK translations of EU policies, the author discusses the extent of possibilities for explaining theories of the origins of Roma/Gypsies/Travellers by the social interests and situation of the theorists. In doing so, he will take account of his own experience of being asked by Travellers/Roma/Gypsies to offer or defend a position “as a Gaujo/Gajo”, or “as an academic” or “as a sociologist” or “as a Christian”, and of debates in the June 2008 UK government-funded Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month