The pioneering DVD on the Romany people will soon be making its mark in schools nationwide after being developed at Manchester University.
Text and audio narrative on the DVD appear in 18 European languages, including Romani, the language used by gypsies.
It tells the history of the Romani language from ancient India, where it emerged, and traces its journey across Europe.
The free disc - called Romani: An Interactive journey - will be used by tens of thousands of schoolchildren across Britain and Europe in a drive to increase awareness of gypsy heritage.
Project co-ordinator Prof Yaron Matras said: "This is the first educational resource for the Romani language and will be used in schools across Europe.
"It will be a powerful way to promote the heritage of a people who speak the most common minority language in the European Union.
"It will make an important contribution to documenting Romani history, culture and language."
Ginny Harrison-White, president of the National Association of Teachers of Travellers - which promotes the education of travelling people like gypsies - said the disc would help break down barriers and prejudice.
She said: "Gypsy, Roma and traveller pupils are too often out of sight and out of mind. The DVD will ensure these children feel valued for who they are.
"Gypsy children will be proud of their identity and gain in confidence, and their enthusiasm for school will improve."
The content is based on research carried out by the Economic and Social Research Council and the university's school of languages.
The Education Department is supporting the resource to encourage minority languages. Tweet
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Will Gypsy children be given DVD's telling them how to behave, and how to clean up sites as they leave them.
I have no problems with any genunine Gypsy if they pay taxes and live a good life, they do at least contribute to society.
My problem is with the people that leave all their filth & rubbish here in Cheshire, and we certainly have plenty of them
max, i think you've got romanies mixed up with pikeys.
And lo Max demonstrates the need for this educational tool.
Yet another drain on resources? More people who dont pay into the system getting things done for them and their families? Maybe the government need to give us all our contributions back,so that we can get the same benefits as others (pay nothing into the system but get all the benefits) .
How about spending more on the kids who do well at school instead.
While going to see a business that was situated near the sliproad of a motorway, I had to swerve on that slipway to avoid an old fridge. As I got further round the bend, there were other items strewn in the road, and the sudden mess of litter was appalling. I then saw the caravans parked up with kids and dogs running loose. Yes, this is the culture we want to promote? Our kids will certainly get far in life won't they? I'm sorry, it may not be pc of me, but no one needs to live like that, nor impose their dirty habits on the rest of us. (oh, such insolence from me!)It's supposedly a free country. If they want to travel around in caravans, then they should do what I would have to do - stay at a site with all the necessary amenities, and pay to do it, from money they've earned. They should then behave like clean human beings. I'm not asking much, surely? Sorry, from what gypsies have shown me, I can't agree to promote their culture. Romantically misguided.
PW I suggest you do some reading up on the provision of legal sites - most notably the repeal of the 1968 Caravan Sites Act. Removal of sites provided by that act led, wholly unsurprisingly, to the proliferation of illegal sites. And if you are going to tar Travellers with the same brush based on isolated experiences then how about stereotyping the settled community on the basis of crime news reports etc.
The situation is as always more complicated than the reporting.
Maybe the local council and health inspectors could learn how to say "clean up your mess or face jailtime".
Andy, you must take off those blinkers you borrowed from the Gypsy Horse as he pulled his caravan through the lanes of Bury.
It is time you opened your eyes to the real world.
Max, I do apologies for having looked into this issue rather than just blithering on in ignorance.
I will remember next time to base all my posts solely on newspaper reports and editorials and extrapolate wildly from issues with some illegal sites to condem a whole race, regardless of the historical or political context in which those sites have arisen. I will also pledge to condemn anyone who dares have a lifestyle which differs to my own.
Has anyone seen a real gypsy, like those they have in Czech republic or Romania? They don't have Irish accents or white skin.
Andy, I've not read any news reports on this subject, nor visited any dubious websites. I only used my eyes and ears in the real world. Perhaps I should turn a blind eye, and keep quiet for fear of being branded racist? I've seen the effects of gypsies living in squalor, and it doesn't take them long to make a big mess. Whether they stay on legal or illegal sites, what is the excuse for being dirty? I happen to love caravanning, but I just live normally while I'm doing it. Perhaps If your garden is big enough, you might want to accomodate a couple of caravans, to enrich your life.
The site in Bury is spotless - and yet set between the dump and a concrete plant. I could extrapolate out from that.
The thing is to understand the context behind what has happened with Gypsy and Traveller sites (not to be confused with travellers, lower case t). There seems liuttle appetite these days for people to actually try and understand how situations emerge. Far easier to casually condemn.
As for your comment that you "like caravanning" - well, I think the ignorance of Traveller life and culture which underpins that statement makes you a prime candidate for this DVD.