A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England: Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.Williams, Roger
History
A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England: Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.
Williams, Roger
Narragansett Indians; Narragansett language
Awanagusàntowosh, Speake English.
Eenàntowash, Speake Indian.
Cutehanshish aùmo, How many were you in company?
Kúnnishishem? Are you alone.
Nníshishem, I am alone.
Naneeshûumo, There be 2 of us.
Nanshwishâwmen, We are 4.
Npiuckshâwmen, We are 10.
Neesneechecktashaûmen, We are 20, &c.
Nquitpausucko washâwmen, We are an 100.
Comishoonhómmis, Did you come by boate?
Kuttiakewushaùmis, Came you by land?
Meshnomishoon hómmin, I came by boat.
Meshntiauké wushem, I came by land.
Nippenowàntawem, I am of another language.
Penowantowawhettûock, They are of a divers Language.
Matnowawtauhettémina, We understand not each other.
Nummaûchenèm, I am sicke.
Cummaúchenem, Are you sicke?
Tashúckunne cummauchenaûmis, How long have you been sicke?
Nummauchêmin
or I will be going.
Ntannetéimmin,
Saûop cummauchêmin, You shall goe to-morrow.
Maúchish
or Be going.
Anakish,
Kuttannâwshesh, Depart.
Mauchié
or He is gone.
Annittui,
Kautanaûshant, He being gone.
Mauchéhettit
or When they are gone?
Kautanawshàwhettit,
Kukkowêtous, I will lodge with you.
Yò Cówish, Do lodge here.
Hawúnshech, Farewell.
Chénock wonck cup peeyeâumen, When will you be here againe?
Nétop tattà, My friend, I cannot tell.
From these courteous Salutations, observe in generall; here is a
savour of civility and courtesie even amongst these wild Americans,
both amongst themselves and towards strangers.
More particular:
1. The courteous Pagan shall condemne
Uncourteous Englishmen,
Who live like Foxes, Beares and Wolves,
Or Lyon in his Den.
2. Let none sing blessings to their soules,
For that they courteous are:
The wild Barbarians with no more
Then nature, goe so farre:
3. If natures Sons both wild and tame,
Humane and courteous be:
How ill becomes it Sonnes of God
To want Humanity?
CHAP. II.
_Of Eating and Entertainment._
Ascúmetesímmis? Have you not yet eaten?
Matta niccattuppúmmin, I am not hungry.
Niccàwkatone, I am thirstie.
Mannippêno? Have you no water?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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