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
Audtà, A paire of small breeches or
Apron.
Cuppàmirh, I will pay you, which is a word newly made from the
English word pay.
Tahenautu? What price?
Tummòck cumméinsh, I will pay you Beaver.
Teaûguock Cumméinsh, I will give you Money.
Wauwunnegachick, Very good.
Obs: They have great difference of their Coyne as the English have:
Some that will not passe without Allowance and some again made of a
Counterfeit shell, and their very blacke counterfeited by a Stone and
other Materialls; yet I never knew any of them much deceived, for
their danger of being deceived (in these things of Earth) makes them
cautelous.
Cosaúmawem, You aske too much.
Kuttíackqussaûwew, You are very hard.
Aquie iackqussaûme, Be not so hard.
Aquie Wussaúmowash, Doe not aske much.
Tashin Commê sim? How much shall I give you?
Kutteaûg Commeinsh, I will give you your money.
Nkèke Comméinsh, I will give you an Otter.
Coanombuqusse, You have deceived,
Kuttassokakómme,
Obs: Who ever deale or trade with them had need of Wisedome, Patience
and Faithfulnesse in dealing; for they frequently say Cuppánnawen,
you lye, Cuttassokakómme, you deceive.
Misquésu Kunúkkeke, Your otter is reddish.
Yò aúwusse Wunnêgin, This is better.
Yo chippaúatu, This is of another price.
Aagausaúatu, It is Cheap.
Muchickaúatu, It is deare.
Wuttunnaúatu, It is worth it.
Wunishaúnto, Let us agree.
Aquie neesquttónckqussish, Doe not make adoe.
Wuché nquittompscat, About a penny.
They are marvellous subtle in their Bargaines to save a penny; And
very suspicous that English Men labour to deceive them: Therefore
they will beate all markets and try all places, and runne twenty,
thirty, yea forty mile, and more, and lodge in the Woods to save
sixpence.
Cummámmenash nitteaúguash? Will you have my money?
Nonânum, I cannot.
Nòonshem.
Tawhitch nonanumêan? Why can you not?
Macháge nkóckie, I get nothing.
Tashaumskussayicommesim? How many spans will you give me?
Neesaumsqussáyi, Two spans.
Shwaumscusscáyi, Three spans.
Yowompscussáyi, Foure spans.
Napannetashaumscussâyi, Five spans.
Quttatashaumskussáyi, Six spans.
Endatashaumscussâyì, Seven spans.
Enadatashaumskuttonâyi, Seven spans.
Cowénaweke, You are a rich Man.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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