Cant

Cant
   The term used for the language used by Travelers in Ireland and Scotland. These are two distinct varieties of English. The syntax and grammar are English, but the vocabulary comes from many sources, including the medieval vocabularies known as Shelta and Gammon. The vocabulary is taught from birth alongside the English equivalent, and as the children grow up, they learn which words are used by their community and which are the general English words. There is some overlap between Scottish Travelers' cant and that of Irish Travelers. Most Travelers know some 400 words. These words are used within the community to give a sense of identity and sometimes so that the Travelers can speak without being understood by outsiders. In the Scottish Highlands and Islands, a third variety of language is found-again a special vocabulary, but in this case with the syntax and grammar of Scottish Gaelic. Examples of cant:
   Irish Travelers: Bug muilsha gather skai (Give me a drink of water)
   Lowland Scottish Travelers: I slummed the pottach in the gowl and then I bing'd avree (I hit the boy in the stomach and then I went out)
   Highland and Islands Scottish Travelers: Dearc leagan cean a' ghlomhaich (Look at the bad shoes of the man)

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  • Cant — or canting may refer to:*Empty, hypocritical talk See [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cant wiktionary article] *Cant (language), a secret language **Thieves cant **Shelta language or the Cant, a language used by the Irish Travellers *Cant… …   Wikipedia

  • cant — CANT, canturi, s.n. 1. Muchie, latură a unor obiecte. 2. Parte a copertei de carton care depăşeşte dimensiunile filelor unei cărţi legate, ale unui caiet sau ale unui registru. 3. Margine, muchie a suprafeţei de alunecare a schiurilor. – Din germ …   Dicționar Român

  • Cant — Cant, n. [OF., edge, angle, prof. from L. canthus the iron ring round a carriage wheel, a wheel, Gr. ? the corner of the eye, the felly of a wheel; cf. W. cant the stake or tire of a wheel. Cf. {Canthus}, {Canton}, {Cantle}.] 1. A corner; angle;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cant — Cant, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Canted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Canting}.] 1. To incline; to set at an angle; to tilt over; to tip upon the edge; as, to cant a cask; to cant a ship. [1913 Webster] 2. To give a sudden turn or new direction to; as, to cant… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cânt — CÂNT, cânturi, s.n. 1. Cântare, cântec; ciripit de păsări. 2. Poezie (însoţită uneori de melodie). 3. Parte, diviziune a unui poem epic. – Din cânta (derivat regresiv). Trimis de valeriu, 03.03.2003. Sursa: DEX 98  CÂNT s. 1. cântare, cântat,… …   Dicționar Român

  • cant — cant1 [kant] n. [< L cantus: see CHANT] 1. whining, singsong speech, esp. as used by beggars 2. the secret slang of beggars, thieves, etc.; argot 3. the special words and phrases used by those in a certain sect, occupation, etc.; jargon 4.… …   English World dictionary

  • Cant — Cant, n. [Prob. from OF. cant, F. chant, singing, in allusion to the singing or whining tine of voice used by beggars, fr. L. cantus. See {Chant}.] 1. An affected, singsong mode of speaking. [1913 Webster] 2. The idioms and peculiarities of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cant — Cant, a. Of the nature of cant; affected; vulgar. [1913 Webster] To introduce and multiply cant words in the most ruinous corruption in any language. Swift. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cant — Cant, n. [Prob. from OF. cant, equiv. to L. quantum; cf. F. encan, fr. L. in quantum, i.e. for how much? ] A call for bidders at a public sale; an auction. To sell their leases by cant. Swift. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cant — Ⅰ. cant [1] ► NOUN 1) hypocritical and sanctimonious talk. 2) derogatory language peculiar to a specified group. 3) (before another noun ) denoting a phrase or catchword temporarily current: a cant word. ► VERB dated ▪ talk hypocritically and… …   English terms dictionary

  • Cant — Cant, v. i. 1. To speak in a whining voice, or an affected, singsong tone. [1913 Webster] 2. To make whining pretensions to goodness; to talk with an affectation of religion, philanthropy, etc.; to practice hypocrisy; as, a canting fanatic. [1913 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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