Talk:Cant (language)

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[edit] Merge?

Should this be merged with Cryptolect, or vice versa? --Jim Henry | Talk 15:38, 30 August 2005 (UTC)

done. ntennis 01:12, 15 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Etruscan

I'm removing the claim that Etruscan has been hypothesized to be a cryptolect of Latin until someone can provide a reputable, published source for it. --Angr/tɔk tə mi 22:05, 25 September 2005 (UTC)

A simple google search revealed this link. Surely the fact that Etruscan has been considered a cryptolect (rightly or wrongly) is reason enough for its inclusion on this page? ntennis 03:02, 28 September 2005 (UTC)

Only if the view is widespread enough to be notable. One person holding a theory (rejected for publication, apparently, as the letter from Edgar Polomé included on that website indicates) does not render it notable enough for inclusion. I did say a reputable, published source for it. --Angr/tɔk tə mi 22:15, 5 October 2005 (UTC)

The Etruscan as Cryptolect theory was not submitted to Edgar polomé for publication and his positive responses outweigh his reservations(read the letter again). The author of the theory

[edit] Leet

I've removed leet from the list, and I don't want it here until it is shown (with reliable sources) that it is indeed used primarily "to bypass automatic text parsers". EldKatt (Talk) 16:30, 16 March 2006 (UTC)

Why the requirements for leet to have reliable sources or a showing that it is used "to bypass automatic text parsers" when there are no proper citations for other entries in this article to reliable sources? This may be besides the point, in my experience leet was primarily formed on BBS systems long before text parsing was used to censor content. Later developments in leet did emerge from the need to bypass filters, primarily via AOL chat rooms, but that was after the leet cant was well formed. At present it's a little hard to call it a Cant as the use of leet is so widespread it hardly classifies as a secret language. DanRP (talk) 16:35, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Origin of the word

Could someone more learned than me explain th origin of the word cant itself. I have a few theories myself-

  • From the Irish caint meaning to talk
  • From chant
  • Or from cant meaning an oblique angle (had to look at my dictionary for that one)

I would say the Irish origin is most likely as shelta supposedly has a similar origin but I'm biased! Afn 12:05, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

Dictionary.com[1] indicates that it is indeed related to (though not derived from) chant. EldKatt (Talk) 16:23, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

I think the Irish origin is unlikely as there is no Irish connection with the earliest use of the word in England. Although chant is possible I would tend to favour "oblique angle" i.e., "bent" as being involved, perhaps as well. Cant seems to come from "canting" meaning dishonest or outside society, for which "bent" was/is also used. GBH 16:00, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

While the common noun cant in the sense of "jargon" is certainly ultimately from Latin cantāre "sing", I wouldn't be in the least surprised if the Irish word caint had something to do with Shelta being called "the Cant". I doubt oblique angles have anything to do with it. Angr (talk • contribs) 16:09, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

It might also be useful to coniser an ethhmological link of the word cant to a nanlicisationof the gaelic word for 'talk' : caint comment moved from page


The Concise Oxford Dictionary has it as cantāre as well. Also, the dic states that it was used 'contemptuously' as early as the 12th century to singing in church services. As for the Irish or Gallic connection: I think it unlikely that in the 16 th century (when it was used to refer to slang) that a gentleman in polite company would use a word with a vulgar (common) root when a word derived from Latin was already in use with a close essence of of little worth, thus reflecting that he was a man of education and capable of discerning judgments. The vocabulary of the low orders would have been unfamiliar to them--Aspro 11:45, 25 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Cockney rhyming slang

Would you consider Cockney rhyming slang to be a Cant language? If so, I'll add the 'Cant language' category to that article.--Aspro 15:33, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

No. Cant is normally associated with criminal or "anti-social" (not normalised) behaviour. Cockneys are not distinctly associated with criminality. Also Cockney rhyming slang is not a cryptolect as it is often easily interprested by the overhearer. GBH 17:19, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

With respect: I don't think you have read the article properly. Now that I have, it is easily a cant, and looking it up else where (like Wiktionary: Cockney rhyming slang) it is also classed as a cant there too. So I 'll be adding it soon.--Aspro 13:52, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Carny

Do we think Carny is a cant? It seems to be a US English fairground speak - which is also used in professional wrestling (!) Secretlondon 01:39, 20 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] argot or [cryptolect]]?

It seems to that Cant may be both, and that the articles overlap significantly. Should they be combined ?GBH (talk) 09:03, 24 March 2008 (UTC)