The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South AmericaRafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
History
The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South America
Rafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
Indians; Indians -- Origin; Taino Indians; Taino language
YAR, End, tail, vent.
YU, White, bright.
ZA, Grass, fruitful, plenty.
ZEM, Angels, deities, idols.
ZIB, Stone, rock.
ZIC, King, ruler.
Such was the Haytian language, once spoken by several millions, and a
western branch of the Pelagic stock; that derived from the Asiatic
_Pelegs_ and _Palis_, once peopled nearly all the shores of the
Mediterranean 3 or 4000 years ago.
The following comparative vocabularies will prove this fact. They have not
been made to support it; but to find the truth, and the probable ancestors
of this American nation, by seeking them all over the earth. If this
nation one of the nearest to the eastern hemisphere, is thus found of such
remote antiquity, those further removed and inland may well be deemed
equally old, or rather older still: which their own history shall
disclose.
Out of the 234 words collected; many it will be perceived, are hardly
comparable; being names of peculiar animals and plants. About 200 offer
comparisons with our languages well known. It must be remarked that the
Spaniards borrowed many Haytian words, which have since been introduced
into Spanish and other European languages. Humboldt has given a list of
them. Those admitted in the English language now are, hurricane, canoe,
keys or islands, tobacco, pimento, yam, tomato, cassava, savana, mahogany,
patatas, mangrove, indigo, copal, maize, bananas, parrot, guano, coco,
cacao, guava, hammock or hanging bed &c.; which must not be compared,
since they have been borrowed by us from the Haytian. The Spaniards have
besides, chichas, balza, Cazic spelt cacique, aguti, manati, maguey,
tiburo, guayac, macana, bejuco, nigua, tuna, aji, zeyba, &c.
Yet several of those words may be usefully compared in ancient languages
often extinct, previous to the late connection with America. Thus we find
analogies for maize, canoe, cazic, cayman, yam, chicha, macana, manati
&c., in many: indicating very ancient connections.—Even the words manati,
hurricane, canoe, nigua &c., have affinities in modern Italic languages,
not derived from Hayti.
_Comparative_ TAINO _Vocabulary of Hayti._
_Authorities_,—R. Roman—C. Columbus—D. Dangleria,—Ac. Acosta,—Her.
Herrera,—M. Munoz,—L. Las-Casas,—O. Oviedo,—G. Garcia or Gili,—E.
Edwards,—H. Humboldt,—V. Vater,—A. all or nearly all of
them,—Laet,—Diaz,—St. Mery,—Ey. Eyeri Dialect.
All or whole QUIS R. D. Xus O.
Analogies, _Oya_ Congo, _Jikoga_ Japan, _Chukoat_ Nepal, _Huy_
Copt, _Qualunque_ Italy.—_Ixquich_ Mexican, _Kiyih_ Mohigan &c.
Angel and Idol. ZEMI, _Zemes_, _Chemes_ A. analogies in annals.
Alligator or crocodile. CAYMAN A.—
_Caram_ Bornu, _Taymah_ Arabic, _Cuina_ Bechuana, _Caimio Chamoa_
Egyptian Dialects.—_Cayman_ Peruvian, _Camac_ Mexican, _Amangam_
Linapi.
Ants or pismires COMEXON R. see notes. Apple, pear, guava. GUAVA,
_Guaiva_, _Guayaba_, _Xagua A._—
_Apis_, _Puar_, old French, _Apple_ English, _Aguas_, _Carba_
Pelagic, _Carpos_ Greek, _Carpath_ Aramic, _Ribi_ Egypt.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account