Why don't Gibraltarians want to be Spanish?

Why don't Gibraltarians want to be Spanish? Now... there's a question!

This question was just asked by a Google user, who arrived on my blog after putting that question in as his/her search term on Google. The Google user was directed to a post I made a little while back asking "Can Gibraltarians ever envisage a Spanish Gibraltar?".

I'm afraid I don't think the google user will have been able to find the answer to his/her question on that post... which is a shame... as it is a good question.

That blog post largely deals with an interview given by Peter Montegriffo, in which he talked about aspects of Gibraltar's sovereignty, saying the time was "not right for us to address the sovereignty issue". I then raised the question on whether Gibraltarians could ever "envisage a Spanish Gibraltar" and went on to explore the future and the possibility of "a Gibraltarian Gibraltar"... possibly in the form of a micro-State within the European Union.

So, whilst an interesting subject for further exploration, I doubt whether this google user today, found an answer to his question on "why don't Gibraltarians want to be Spanish?".

Actually... as a quick aside... I am often much amused by the queries people use, on Google and other search engines... and how they arrive on my blog! One user recently, was directed to one of my monthly blog archive pages, (where posts from the whole month are listed) following a google query for "pollution in my twat"!!! This one really made me roll around laughing! Clever google... saw that I had a couple of blog posts on that archive page... one a rant about pollution in the Bay of Gibraltar... and another post ranting on about my "Twat of the Week" (who happened to be the infamous twat and wanker banker Fred Goodwin that week)... so google thought it appropriate to direct this unfortunate user to my page!! ha ha I'm pretty sure this user did not find an answer to what sounds to me a rather strange and worrying condition... and I do hope she (I can only assume that was a female user) has now found suitable and appropriate medical advice!

Another Google search just this morning... this time from Saudi Arabia arrived on a post on 'Nuclear submarine collision in Gibraltar... what if?' by searching for "gibraltar nuclear weapons store"!! Now that's a bit worrying!

I could go on... but anyhow... apologies for my digressing... I shall get back to trying to answer this question today!

So... why don't Gibraltarians want to be Spanish? Well, the answer, as an uninformed reader might imagine... is... for many reasons... and I'm not sure where to start??

The first thing that comes to my head is to ask... well, why should a Gibraltarian want to be Spanish?

In the same way... why would a Frenchman not want to be English? After all... these two countries are geographically next to each other and have shared many parallels through history. Or... why would a Scotsman not want to be English... they've been neighbours and have shared a nationality (British... through the Act of Union) for hundreds of years haven't they? Why might an Australian not want to be a Kiwi New Zealander? Again... they're just across the pacific from each other. The obvious answer to all these questions is... because they ARE French... or because he IS a Scot.... or an Aussie! Quite simple really!

A Gibraltarian would not want to be Spanish... because he IS a British Gibraltarian... and because that is what we have been for even longer than the USA has existed... Gibraltar has been British for over 300 years.... since 1704... so the real question should be... why should a Gibraltarin want to be Spanish? The question should just not arise. Quite simply, the answer being why should he?

I cannot answer for each and every Gibraltarians naturally... and this is just my humble view... but I have a feeling I am in a very large majority... and the vast majority of Gibraltarians would agree with me.

But... let's explore what to my mind is more to the point... why do Gibraltarians choose to remain British? You see, unlike most other British people around the world and through history, most have never been given the choice... but Gibraltarians have... two times in fact... since 1967, Gibraltarians have had the option put to us... to democractially choose whether we wish to remain under British sovereignty... or come under Spanish sovereignty! We are getting a bit fed up with having to answer the question actually!

Historic Referenda

In successive Referenda (Referendums if you like) on the sovereignty of Gibraltar, Gibraltarians have voted democraticlly and emphatically to remain British:

• 1967 - Gibraltar's first sovereignty referendum was held on 10 September 1967, in which Gibraltarian voters were asked whether they wished to either pass under Spanish sovereignty, or remain under British sovereignty, with institutions of self-government. Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly by 12,138 (99.19% of the electorate) to 44 to remain under British sovereignty.

• 2002 - The Government of Gibraltar called a referendum on 7 November 2002 to establish the popular support for a proposal to share sovereignty of the territory with Spain. The result was a massive rejection of the concept. The actual voting was as follows: 18176 voted representing 87.9% of the electorate. There were 89 papers spoilt of which 72 were blank. Of the 18,087 valid ballots 187 voted YES, and 17,900 voted NO.
• 2006 - Futhermore, a referendum on the proposed new constitution of Gibraltar was held on 30 November 2006. After being accepted by 60.24% of voters, the new constitution came into effect on the 2nd of January 2007. Turnout was low at 60.4%. It has been speculated that the relatively low margin with which the constitution passed was a response to the unpopularity of the Cordoba Accords (a tripartite agreement on co-operation between the Governments of the UK, Spain and Gibraltar) among some segments of the electorate (who were unhappy about any agreement with Spain), and a confusion between these two issues .

So, as you can see... it's pretty emphatic. Gibraltarians do NOT want to come under Spanish sovereignty.

As to more specific reasons why... well, these are quite complex. Other than what I have already explained and I suppose each Gibraltarian has his or her own view and very passionate ones they are too... for myself, it's about values!

I strongly value the long established British values of freedom, democracy, justice, freedom of speech, human rights and the embracing of mixed cultures, creeds and religions within our society.

Spain... has a long way to go on all those values... before one could even begin to compare the two cultures and traditions. Granted, Spain has come a long way since Franco's day... and especially since its integration with the European Union... but their democracy is still in its infancy... and they still have a long way to go... before they fully catch up!

Having said that, I have no problem with Spain and the Spanish people... though I do resent the constant bullying by Spanish politicians and Spain's belligerent politics, at times, towards Gibraltar.

But... as far as Spain and its people are concerned... I have always been a lover of it's wealth of culture, gastronomy, the way of and quality of life and the warmth of the people. Throughout my life, I have loved all these aspects of Spain and what it can provide and I am very well aware of these hugely positive things about Spain... NONE of which make me want to BE Spanish! I am very happy and content being what I am... a very proud Briish Gibraltarian!

If you are interested in exploring these further, the best thing I would suggest you do is to have a look at this Gibraltar Documentary Film. This film was a project produced by Garrett Wesley Gibbons, an American student at Brigham Young University. It is a very good documentary, primarily describing what a Gibraltarin (also known as a 'Llanito') is all about... and why we value our Britishness.

I hope this blog post has gone some way towards answering the question of why Gibraltarians don't want to be Spanish. I suspect there are many questions unanswered though... and if you have any... by all means ask away using the 'Comments' system below.

If you are Gibraltarian... and want to say why YOU don't want to be Spanish... then please feel free to comment below.

All comments, as always, will be very welcome. (Please note... abusive or racist anti-Gibraltarian nonsense will be deleted!)

Saludos!

As a Gibraltarian... do you find the term Llanito (or Yanito) offensive?

This question has arisen, following on from my post three weeks ago, when I reviewed Garrett Gibbons's excellent Gibraltar Documentary Film.

You can ignore my (perhaps long winded) explanation and just scroll down to the end of this post, where you will be able to vote on a Poll I have included here... in the hope of getting your view on this question. If you wish to read my explanation of how the question has arisen... then read on.

I recently heard from Garrett, telling me that he had finally given the film a title. Garrett has chosen to call his documentary film "The People on the Rock".

I will quickly add that the film is still in 'draft form' and in the process of being produced. Garrett further informs us that the next draft of the his film may not be available until late April, as he is busy trying to finish his BA degree at Brigham Young University in the USA... but, he assures me, it remains on his 'high-priority' list! Good... can' wait!

Anyhow, when I heard of the title Garrett had chosen, I'm afraid I was disappointed. I told Garrett that I didn't think "The People on the Rock" was the best... most descriptive title he could have come up with... and I offered him my own suggestion... "The Llanitos of the Rock of Gibraltar". For me, this is a much more descriptive title of what Garrett's documentary is about.

This, of course, is just my opinion. Ultimately of course... and bearing in mind it IS his film... it's entirely up to him what he chooses to call it.... and I very much look forward to the next draft.. and end product.

The discussion over the title however, has thrown up a question... over the term (or word) "Llanito" (or Yanito).

When Garrett read my suggestion, he graciously said he would "consider my advice" (heis a diplomat our Garrett)... but he added:

"I'd like to use "Llanitos" in the title, but I got chastised by several Gibraltarians for calling them Llanitos... a few people got really upset, telling me that it was a derogatory nickname!"

I have to admit, I was VERY surprised to read his comment! In response, I said:

"I've never heard anything of the kind and find it very surprising that ANY Llanito should take umbrage for being called what we call ourselves!

I would think this sort of sentiment very much in the minority! It doesn't trouble me in the least and no one has ever expressed a negative view on being called a Llanito to me... ever!"

That's really my impression. Perhaps I'm wrong. I often am... and at the end of the day, I have been living away from Gibraltar for quite a few years, (though I did live and work in Gibraltar between '96 and 2002) so it's not inconceivable that feelings may have changed in this regard.... but I doubt that there has been THIS fundamental a change.

Now, if we were talking about the word or term 'Gibo'... then yes... that I would understand if a few (quite a few even) take umbrage with that term. I make my views clear on this subject here: Defining the word or term 'Gibo'.

To reinforce his argument, Garrett asked me to re-look at a portion of his documentary, where a Gibraltarian comments on how he prefers to be referred to... and to my surprise, he feels that 'Llanito'... "es una palabra fea"!

You can see what Garrett is getting at in this excerpt from his documentary film, in the first few seconds of this video, listen to the response by this Gibraltarian, when asked "what does Llanito mean?":



Garrett wonders if this chap's reply is because Garrett is "an outsider"?

"These guys didn't like me throwing around a local term that they use to describe themselves?"

Well... quite possibly but I have to say I am nevertheless surprised to hear this chap... with all due respect to him, saying that "Llanito es una palabra fea". I really am.

For me, it's never been a disparaging term, far from it. The term 'Llanito' reinforces my Gibraltarian identity. I would go further, it's a term that I am proud to be referred to as! In my experience, I think this chap's view is NOT shared widely by Gibraltarians... and it's not I don't think, a generation thing. At 55, I'm more his age myself.

But... this discussion got me thinking... and wondering if it's just me. I wonder if others feel like this fellow does. So I thought it would be an interesting exercise, to set up a Poll, asking the question:

Do you find the term Llanito (or Yanito) offensive?
	Yes
	No
	Don't Know
	Sometimes (if so when Your comment would be appreciated)
pollcode.com free polls

If you choose the fourth option, 'Sometimes', I would appreciate it if you would explain by commenting here, using our comment facility at the end of this post, as it will be interestng to read your views on this further.

I'm sure many Gibraltarians will find this an interesting exercise... and I very much hope you will contribute to the poll. Please also share this with your family, friends, work colleagues... as the widest possible vote will give us the best impression of whether a Gibraltarian finds the term Llanito (or Yanito) offensive.

Thanks in advance for your input! :)

Update - 3rd May 2009

Well... now that the Poll has been running for just over a month, I thought I would post an update.

The results to-date, whilst a little disappointing on the numbers who have voted, is nevertheless fairly emphatic and confirms what I had thought. 25 people have voted so far... and this is the result:

Yes 8% 2
No 76% 19
Don't Know 4% 1
Sometimes 12% 3

Naturally I would have hoped for more votes but for reasons that escape me, many people have chosen not to vote. The page has been viewed 116 times since it was posted. Many of these are visitors from Gibraltar. Many of these page views were probably people who do not qualify (by that I mean not Gibraltarian). A few were also probably returning to check how the poll was going, myself included three or four times. However, I am sorry to say it's still very disappointing that only 25 people bothered to express themselves.

A special thanks to all of you who did bother to vote... and thanks also for your comments, which were very enlightening.

So... I think Garrett will agree, that there really isn't any reason or cause for concern, in choosing to include 'llanito' in the documentary's title.... which is how this question first arose, as this poll indicates (albeit with a very small sample) that the vast majority of Gibraltarians will not be offended.

I won't close the poll... so please feel free to continue to vote as I am still hoping over time, to obtain a wider sample of how Gibraltarians feel about being referred to as Llanito!

Thank you all again!!

In my Inbox today... Frases Llanitas (some funny Llanito phrases)

Here are some very funny Llanito phrases I received in my Inbox today from a Llanita friend.

I'm afraid, if you are a non-llanito speaker... these will make absolutely no sense whatsoever... probably not even to a Spanish speaker! I have included some notes on translation and on the Llanito language generally, at the end of this post.

Anhow... here are the funny Llanito phrases:

El llanito no te llama por teléfono: Te DA toques

El llanito no saluda: Te dice que pasa!!

El llanito no se enamora: Esta enchochao

El llanito no trata de convencerte: Te raya

El llanito no concierta una cita con sus amistades: Queda con Los colegas

El llanito no se lanza: Se Embala

El llanito no bebe mucho: Coge un siego

El llanito no es que no entienda: No lo capta

El llanito no te DA la espalda: Te manda a tomar por culo

El llanito no te llama la atención: Te shilla....killo!!

El llanito no molesta: DA el coñazo

El llanito no se baña: Se pega un duchaso

El llanito no se alimenta: Se pone como el kiko

El llanito no te golpea: Te suelta una ostia

El llanito no trabaja: Curra

El llanito no tiene amantes: Tiene dos o tres chavalitas

El llanito no se impresiona: Lo flipa

El llanito no tiene ganas de hacer pis: Se mea

El llanito no sufre de diarrea: Se caga vivo

El llanito no corre a toda velocidad: Sale follao

El llanito no duerme: Se queda frito

El llanito no se rie a carcajadas: Se parte de risa

El llanito no es buen tipo: Es buena gente

El llanito no hace algo mal: La caga

El llanito no intenta ligar: Intenta comerse un rosco

El llanito no pierde el tiempo: Esta rascandose

El llanito no habla claro: Te lo dice to a la puta cara

El llanito no esta cansado: Esta rebentao

El llanito no ve a una chica fea: Ve a un cromo

El llanito No Se enfada: Se mosquea

El llanito no le sale algo mal: Le estan mentando

El llanito no es cualquier cosa: El Llanito es un ser unico y extraordinario!!

Non-Translatable Llanito Notes

For non-llanito speakers... my apologies... but these Llanito phrases are pretty much... untranslatable!

You can have a go here if you wish... but I wouldn't hold up much hope for the result!

I've had a go at translating one or two... and the results are not at all good... but they are quite hysterically funny... well... to a Llanito!

For instance:

"El llanito No Se enfada: Se mosquea"... translates to: The Llanito was not angry: The mosque!! ha ha Gobbledeygook eh?!!

I'm afraid Google has yet to come up with a translation tool for the Llanito language! Something for my 'colega' friend Dale to work on perhaps? ;)

It would be very interesting to know what Spanish speakers make of this. Maybe we can attract a comment or two from Spanish speakers??

Sería muy interesante saber qué piensan los hispano-hablantes de estas frases Llanitas? Seria bueno si comentaras... gracias en anticipacion!

The last phrase however... does translate quite well:

El llanito no es cualquier cosa: El Llanito es un ser unico y extraordinario!!

Translates to:

A Llanito is not just anything (anyone): A Llanito is quite unique and special!... and that's undoubtedly true!! :)

Llanito explained

For those of you who have no idea what Llanito is... Llanito (pronounced [jɑˈnito] or Yanito is an Andalusian Spanish based vernacular or dialect spoken uniquely in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Gibraltarians call ourselves Llanitos.

Llanito consists of an eclectic mix of Andalusian Spanish and British English, marked by a great deal of code switching and loan-words from many other Mediterranean languages.

You can read more about Llanito and the Gibraltarian culture on Wikipedia > Llanito

You can find more information and posts about Gibraltar's Llanito language here.

You may also be interested in having a look at my colega's blog. Dale Buttigieg excellently blogs on the more 'academic' aspects of the Llanito Language here.

Acknowledgement

I am indebted to the lovely Llanita... Killagigi... for sending these Llanito phrases to me today... Thanks very much Killagigi!

Whose Gibraltar? A documentary film on the Llanito Gibraltarian perspective

A few days ago I posted about a Gibraltar Documentary Film project that Garrett Wesley Gibbons, of Brigham Young University in the USA, was in the process of putting together.

To my surprise... and I must say, a lot sooner than I ever expected, I heard from Garrett today, telling me that his film has now been posted!

Garrett has kindly posted his film with the proviso that you understand it is still 'a work in progress'. The film, as yet, has no music and is not fully 'titled'. I am, however, very pleased to share it with you all here... for you to enjoy and in the hope that you offer Garrett your comments and reviews on his draft, (my comments below).

Anyhow... here's the film... for your delight and delectation:



Well, I don't know about you, but I thought this is an excellent documentary... I really enjoyed it... lack of music or finished 'title's notwithstanding!

Gibraltar Film Documentary Reviewed.

On the whole, I think Garrett has done a great job so far. He has produced a very accurate perspective, from a Gibraltarian viewpoint, about the Llanito identity. With, what I understand were difficult time constraints, he has managed to describe the history and particularly the political aspects challenging Gibraltar today, relatively well, if perhaps not as broadly as I would have liked to see.

Personally, I would like to see some more comment, especially from the other political parties in Gibraltar.

As it stands... the only political view expressed, other than those of my friend Dennis Beiso's, the Gibraltar Government Archivist, (who, I must say, does a very good job in his summaries), are those of the GSLP/Liberals Opposition parties. This, I think, is not a broad enough perspective.

The politics of Gibraltar always raises great passions in many quarters... not least in Gibraltar itself, naturally, and many have an opinion of where we came from, where we are... and most importantly, where we are going. For this documentary to be fully comprehensive, I think it is important that it shows a broader inclusive view, from all sides.

It is important, in my humble view, that there is at least some comment by the incumbent GSD (Gibraltar Social Democrats) Government, particularly from Chief Minister Peter Caruana.

I asked whether the Government was given the opportunity to participate in the documentary. Garrett has answered this and a number of other questions here.

I would also like to see some comment from Keith Azopardi and the Progressive Democratic Party.

Of course, if one is going to (unrestrictedly) endeavour to have the broadest perspective, no commentary on the politics of Gibraltar can ever be complete, without the participation of the British or Spanish Governments' views on the age old question of sovereignty of Gibraltar. After all... it's the nub of the whole damn historic dispute right?

In fairness to Garrett, I think we need to bear in mind he has produced this film as a school project. It's not a 'BBC Panorama' type documentary... or intended to be a comprehensive history on Gibraltar. It's just his perspective... on the curiosity that is being a Gibraltarian Llanito. People need to judge this film in that context... as it does not propose to do anything else.

Be that as it may, and appreciating the producer's obvious time (and other possible) constraints... recognising that he couldn't fit it all in, I think the political perspective the documentary offers, is fair and broadly that held by most Gibraltarians. No doubt I shall soon be corrected by those who feel this is not so! :)

My Conclusion

I think this is a very well produced piece of work so far. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and I think most Gibraltarians (possibly with the exception of fanatical GSD supporters, who may hate the sight of 'the Walrus' and cannot abide the sound of 'the pipsqueak'), will also enjoy watching this documentary.

Gibraltarians just love watching ourselves. Sometimes I think we must have ALL been born under the starsign of Leo... "all Leos are trendsetters, leaders and adventurers. Their weakness is their pride. This is one sign where the saying 'flattery will get you everything' applies"!

But seriously... with the slight constructive criticism about broader perspectives notwithstanding, I doff my hat to Garrett... and thank him for his interest and for a very well researched and explained documentary about our homeland!

One final point I would like to make. The music, as ever, may well enhance or detract from the power of the film so care will need to be taken on the choice of music and how it is edited... but, on the other hand... what do I know of producing a film!? Not a lot! :)

Having said that... and finally... finally... on reviewing Garrett's very interesting documentary, having offered him my thoughts, I have also taken the opportunity to offer a couple of little suggestions, small amendments for him to consider making. These can be seen on the Gibraltar Documentary page posted by Garrett Wesley Gibbons on Vimeo.

You may have your own thoughts you might want to add? I know Garrett will be very grateful for your comments and feedback too!

You may also like to know there is a discussion on this film going on at Gibraltar News Online's Discussion Forum here: Gibraltar Film Documentary just published

If you missed the link in the review above, you may also enjoy further reading about this documentary and Garrett's explanation of the how and why he created this film: Gibraltar Film Documentary > Why?

A Llanito in Space!

I bumped into my old friend John Borda today. John is a freelance web designer these days, based not too far from me in the Newmarket area. In conversation, as we caught up with each other, he mused about how close it came for a Llanito to be 'in space'!

He told me how he had been reading through the news the other day, about the European Space Agency's (ESA) busy programme for the coming year when he came across the image of a familiar-looking satellite. John said, "it’s not as if it looks like any other satellite. It’s actually quite unusual; a very compact 'arrow-like' shape, with small fins on it".

It turns out, that over ten years ago, John was working for a scientific research firm, Oxford Instruments, testing superconducting materials, on a contract for ESA.

"While I can’t claim to be the 'brains' behind them", John said, "I was testing these materials, to see if they could be made into more sensitive devices, more reliably".

One of these devices is known as a 'SQUID' (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device). Marvelling at this wonderful piece of engineering science, he excitedly explained that this is apparently, "the most sensitive magnetic field detector known to man"!

To illustrate, he recalled how they could sense a bunch of keys being jangled at the other end of their lab and were impossible to test during rush-hour because of all the 'noise' of the 'metal' cars moving outside!. (It appears that the lab later moved as far away from a major road as it could!).

To return to the 'Llanito in Space' possibility, he told me these are the very detectors at the heart of the GOCE satellite which is due to be launched on 16th March 2009.

Strategically placed around a 'jumping-jack' shaped piece of niobium, they can detect tiny movements in all three dimensions as the satellite passes low over the Earth. These will allow the satellite to map tiny variations in the gravity field over the planet and provide highly detailed data about the Earth, including sea levels, potential mineral deposits and the like.

John remembers putting together an annual series of proposals about this satellite, including ground test rigs and other aspects of its design.

However, he said, "my main contribution was to speed up the ability to change the many drafts it went through".

"As for the first version I was using a scalpel and several rolls of Scotch tape to 'cut and paste' the proposal and it’s many complex diagrams together... literally. No Photoshop back then!"

The next version was entirely electronic, apparently, with the exception of the front cover, an artist’s impression of the satellite, which he didn’t have in electronic form.

"We didn’t have a scanner in the office, but we did have a fax, so I faxed it to my computer modem, and was thus able to use the image!"

Sadly, said John, the nature of the ESA contract changed to "something beyond my skills", so he was out of a job. But that image stayed with him.

"It was, and still is, an unusual shape for a satellite. This is because it orbits so low it 'grazes' the atmosphere, so it needs to be streamlined, and to minimise any vibrations that might be caused by the usual solar panel 'wings', which would interfere with the sensitive gravity detector."

In a wistful tone, John concluded:

"I would have been one of a 'cast of thousands' involved in getting this satellite launched later this year, all being well. But, still, over a decade later, it will be good to see it fly!"

ESA's GOCE Mission

ESA's GOCE mission is dedicated to measuring the Earth's gravity field and modelling the 'geoid' with unprecedented accuracy and spatial resolution.

GOCE is the first in a series of research missions known as Earth Explorers. Driven by the needs of the scientific community, Earth Explorers will provide the data to help understand critical Earth system variables and put Europe in pole position on Earth observation in the coming years.

This video gives an excellent explanation of what the GOCE mission is all about:



GOCE is due for launch in March 2009 on a Russian 'Rockot' vehicle, a converted SS-19 Russian Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.

All the data collected by GOCE will go towards creating a global gravity-field map with a level of accuracy never before available.

ESA has developed an internet interface that will make these data easily and quickly available to scientists and researchers.

Llanito or Yanito discussed on Gibraltar Discussion Forums

My post yesterday, about the fact that Gibberish may derive from Llanito, prompted Garrett Gibbons to offer us a link to an article he wrote entitled Did 'gibberish' originally describe the speech in Gibraltar (Yanito)? > An Alternative Etymology for Gibberish.

I am much obliged to Garrett for providing us with the link to this very interesting and well argued etymological article on the origins of 'gibberish'. I am also grateful for his interest in Gibraltar generally. Garrett is currently blogging about a Gibraltar Documentary Film project he is in the process of putting together. I very much look forward to viewing it, when it's finished!

Anyhow, this all led me to think some of you may be interested in the following links to discussions on Gibraltar Forums, where our rather unusual, maybe even odd and quirky (for some) Gibraltarian language, Llanito or Yanito, is discussed.

Here are three topics from Gibraltar News Online Discussion Board

Are we 'Llanitos' or 'Yanitos'??

Language/accent

Gibraltarian Bilingualism explained

Panorama Forum

This one may be a bit of a non story. There used to be a very good discussion on the Panorama Forum, on a topic entitled Giannito/Llanito, Dialect, Patois, Gibberish?. Sadly, this link was not working at the time of writing this post.

According to GoDaddy.com, the net domain registrars, the domain xsorbit3.com, which hosted the Panorama Gibraltar Discussion Forum, has not been renewed and is currenly offline!

A note on Panorama's, (one of Gibraltar's daily newspapers with an online presence), discussion page says:

To all users of our Discussion forum

The server which hosts the Discussion forum for Panorama www.xsorbit3.com has gone down.

To date no explanation has been received by us from Xsorbit despite attempts to contact them.

We are sorry for the inconvenience caused but this situation is outside of our control, and we are attempting to find a solution as soon as possible.

This is very sad news, as there were many very interesting topics about Gibraltar on this discussion board. Not least the one I'm referring to here, which had, if I remember rightly... something approaching 20 pages on the subject of Llanito, with many llanito words offered and discussed... and much amusing comment! I really hope this topic (or databse) has not been lost forever! It would be a real shame.

I have found a couple of pages on Google Cache, which are snapshots of how these appeared on 19 Jan 2009 19:44:24 GMT

Google Cache > Giannito/Llanito, Dialect, Patois, Gibberish? > Page 1

Google Cache > Giannito/Llanito, Dialect, Patois, Gibberish? > Page 3

I'm not sure how long Google keeps their cached pages... but they are there for now. Let's hope that Panorama can get those pages back up or somehow, in the hope it's not lost forever, recover that database of some great topics concerning Gibraltar!

In the meantime, I hope anyone interested in the subject of Llanito... can enjoy some of it, as discussed on these links.

For those of you who have no idea what Llanito is... Llanito (pronounced [jɑˈnito] or Yanito is an Andalusian Spanish based vernacular spoken in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Gibraltarians call ourselves Llanitos.

Llanito consists of an eclectic mix of Andalusian Spanish and British English, marked by a great deal of code switching and loan-words from many other Mediterranean languages. You can read more about Llanito and the Gibraltarian culture on Wikipedia

Gibberish may derive from Llanito

Perhaps it comes as no surprise to many... but did you know that the term 'Gibberish' may have derived from the Llanito spoken in Gibraltar?

Well... Wikipedia thinks so!

Gibberish is a generic term in English. It means talking that sounds like speech, but has no actual meaning. This meaning has also been extended to meaningless text or gobbledygook. The common theme in gibberish statements is a lack of literal sense, which can also be described as a presence of nonsense.

A further definition of gibberish in Wiktionary, the free dictionary, says it is speech or writing that is unintelligible, incoherent or meaningless. (can often be seen here!)

A family of language games in English are sometimes referred to as "Gibberish". Comedian Sid Caesar was noted for what he called "double-talk", an ability to speak varieties of nonsense syllables that sounded as if he was speaking various foreign languages.

Origin of the term

According to Wikipedia, the term is first seen in English in the early 16th century. A common theory is that the word comes from the name of the famous 8th-century Islamic alchemist, Jabir ibn Hayyan, whose name was Latinized as "Geber", thus the term "gibberish" arose as a reference to the incomprehensible technical jargon often used by Jabir and other alchemists who followed.

A second explanation, says Wikipedia, is from the British (sic) 'colony' (now of course, a British Overseas Territory) Gibraltar (from Arabic Gabal-Tariq, [Gibel Tarik] meaning Mountain of Tariq), whose residents frequently speak in Spanish and English during their conversations. Gibraltarians will often start a sentence in Spanish and switch to English halfway through, making it difficult for non-locals to follow.

Very true... we do!! :)

UPDATE: 21st February 2009 - 22:34

I have been contacted by Garrett Wesley Gibbons of Brigham Young University in the USA, who is currently blogging about a Gibraltar Documentary Film project he is in the process of putting together. Garrett has kindly informed me of a paper he wrote, entitled Did 'gibberish' originally describe the speech in Gibraltar (Yanito)? > An Alternative Etymology for Gibberish.

It's an interesting read... and my thanks to Garrett for sharing it!