Caló

Caló is a Spanish argot, or slang, historically associated with the Romani people of Spain, particularly Andalusia. It is a linguistic phenomenon that emerged from the interaction and often forced cohabitation of Romani communities with the wider Spanish society. Caló is not a distinct language but rather a form of Spanish enriched with vocabulary and grammatical features derived from Romani (Caló language), as well as influences from Arabic and Andalusian dialects.

The vocabulary of Caló includes many words that describe aspects of daily life, social interactions, and the particular experiences of the Romani people. Some common examples include "camela" (woman), "camelo" (man), "chaval" (boy/child), and "currar" (to work). These terms often entered the general Spanish lexicon, particularly in colloquial speech. Over time, the usage of Caló has diversified. While it retains strong ties to Romani culture, elements of Caló have been adopted by non-Romani speakers, especially in certain regions and social groups, sometimes losing their original cultural context. The study of Caló provides valuable insights into the historical relationship between the Romani people and Spanish society, as well as the dynamic nature of language evolution.