Romani, what is this exactly?

Romani is the language of the Roma. It is undeniably of Indian origin and close to Hindi, one of the languages of India. 

The base of Romani vocabulary and grammar is two thirds Indian.  The rest is a mixture of vocabulary borrowed in relation to the exodus from India of the Romani people, i.e., principally from Persian and Greek, followed by the European languages with which the Romani people came into contact.

Despite its claimed dialectical diversity, Romani is one language and the Roma of Russia, Albania, Greece etc. can easily communicate with each other – as long as the Romani language is preserved from generation to generation.

Romani has been found in its written form from the beginning of the 20th century, using the different alphabets according to the countries the Roma were living in. In 1990, a standard alphabet/writing for Romani was put into place which allowed for a better diffusion of Romani literature. 

In certain countries, such as Rumania, it is taught in schools and, in France, the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in Paris offers complete programs in Romani language, culture and history.
 

source: "La voix des Rroms"