The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VI. Being the Second of the Third VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VI. Being the Second of the Third Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
“As to the composition of it, we can say very little; having been
scarcely able to distinguish the several parts of speech. It can only be
inferred, from their method of speaking, which is very slow and
distinct, that it has few prepositions or conjunctions; and, as far as
we could discover, is destitute of even a single interjection, to
express admiration or surprise. From its having few conjunctions, it may
be conceived, that these being thought unnecessary, as being understood,
each single word, with them, will also express a great deal, to
comprehend several simple ideas; which seems to be the case. But, for
the same reason, the language will be defective in other respects; not
having words to distinguish or express differences which really exist,
and hence not sufficiently copious. This was observed to be the case in
many instances, particularly with respect to the names of animals. The
relation or affinity it may bear to other languages, either on this or
on the Asiatic continent, I have not been able sufficiently to trace,
for want of proper specimens to compare it with, except those of the
Esquimaux and Indians about Hudson’s Bay; to neither of which it bears
the least resemblance. On the other hand, from the few Mexican words I
have been able to procure, there is the most obvious agreement, in the
very frequent terminations of the words in _l_, _tl_, or _z_, throughout
the language.”[50]
The large vocabulary of the Nootka language, collected by Mr. Anderson,
shall be reserved for another place[51], as its insertion here would too
much interrupt our narration. At present, I only select their numerals,
for the satisfaction of such of our readers as love to compare those of
different nations, in different parts of the world:
_Tsawack_, One.
_Akkla_, Two.
_Katsitsa_, Three.
_Mo_, or _moo_, Four.
_Sochah_, Five.
_Nofpo_, Six.
_Atslepoo_, Seven.
_Atlaquolthl_, Eight.
_Tsawaquulthl_, Nine.
_Haeeoo_, Ten.
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