Beurla Reagaird (Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈpjɤːrˠl̪ˠə ˈɾɛkərˠtʲ]; previously also spelled Beurla Reagair or Beurla-reagaird) is a nearly extinct, Scottish Gaelic-based cant used by the indigenous Traveller community of the Highlands of Scotland, formerly often referred to by the disparaging name "tinkers".[1][2]
| Beurla Reagaird | |
|---|---|
| Region | Scottish Highlands |
Indo-European
| |
Early forms | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
Name
Beurla Reagaird loosely translates as 'speech of metalworkers' in reference to their traditional occupation of being traveling tinsmiths.[3] Although Beurla today refers to the English language, its original meaning is that of 'jargon' (from Old Irish bélre, bél 'mouth' plus the abstract forming suffix -re),[4] with the second element being linked to the word eagar 'order, array, arrangement' (compare with the Irish Béarla na Saor 'speech of the smiths').[5]