Episode 163 - Yes We Cant: Anti-Languages and Argots

Come along for an exploration of anti-languages and the qualities that make them successful in building community and maintaining safety among the people that develop them. From occupational jargon to survival as a marginalized group to being hip with the kids, we tour a few of these languages, and subject everyone to a 16th century dialogue with translation.

• O latín dos canteiros en Cabana de Bergantiños (Madrygal, in Galician)

• Anti-Languages (American Anthropologist)

• The Language of the Underworld and its Sociolinguistic Significance (Contributions to the Study of Language, Literature and Culture)

• The secret “anti-languages” you’re not supposed to know (BBC Future)

• The Book of Vagabonds and Beggars: With a Vocabulary of Their Language (via Google Books)

• A caveat or warning for common cursetors, vulgarly called vagabonds. Whereunto is added, The tale of the second taking of the counterfeit crank (via Google Books)

• Uncovering Thieves’ Cant, the Elizabethan Slang of the Underworld (MentalFloss)

• Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (via Project Gutenberg)

• A brief history of Polari: the curious after-life of the dead language for gay men (The Conversation)

• The Polari Bible (Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence)

• Putting on the Dish (via YouTube)

• Putting on the Dish Screenplay (Brian and Karl)

• This Month in Linguistics History: Lavender Language/Linguistics (Linguistic Society of America)

• Cants And ‘Anti-Languages’ — The Hidden World Of Secret Languages (Babbel Magazine)

• Verlan - French Slang (ThoughtCo)