ABSTRACT
In academic circles in the 19th and early 20th century, interest in Gypsies and Travellers was deemed eccentric. The history of Gypsies and Travellers in Europe sets the context for the review of literature, and is one of its key topics. This chapter presents a review of modern academic literature, academic discussions of nomadism, Traveller language, and Traveller-sedentary relations. In academic research, and in usage among bearers of the names, ‘Gypsy’ and ‘Traveller’ can be interchangeable terms for a given group or can be mutually exclusive: it depends on the context. John O’Connell's thinking became well known through his papers on ethnicity, racism, education and development issues in relation to Travellers, given at seminars and training courses for professionals such as teachers and social workers, and for policy makers. Discrimination is a constant theme in literature relating to Travellers. Many writers, applying theoretical articulations of the concept, identify anti-Traveller discrimination as racism.
