Subject
Indians of North America -- Languages -- Bibliography Books
Best books
John Wesley Powell
Indian Linguistic Families of America, North of Mexico Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1885-1886, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1891, pages 1-142
"Indian Linguistic Families of America, North of Mexico" by John Wesley Powell is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. This work delves into the diverse languages spoken by the indigenous tribes of North America, offering a comprehensive analysis of their classifications and relationships. The book likely appeals to those interested in linguistics, anthropology, and the understanding of indigenous cultures within America. At the start of the book, the author discusses the complexities surrounding the study of Native American languages, highlighting the historical interactions between tribes and the influence of European settlers which led to language borrowing and the development of intertribal jargons. Powell outlines the difficulties faced by researchers, including the vast number of linguistic families and the confusing overlaps due to cultural exchanges. He proposes a need for a standardized nomenclature to better classify and analyze these languages, setting the stage for a detailed exploration of linguistic families and their geographical distributions throughout North America.
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
Literature of the Indian Languages A Bibliographical Catalogue of Books, Translations of the Scriptures, and Other Publications in the Indian Tongues of the United States, With Brief Critical Notes
"Literature of the Indian Languages" by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft is a scholarly publication written during the mid-19th century. The book serves as a bibliographical catalogue and critical examination of books, translations of the Scriptures, and other publications in various Native American languages of the United States. Its central theme revolves around the significance of Indian languages in understanding the history and culture of Indian tribes. The content is structured into chapters focusing on different language families, such as Iroquois, Algonquin, Appalachian, Dakota, and others. Each section provides details about specific works translated into these languages, often including critical notices about the translations' qualities and their historical context. The purpose of the book is not only to catalog existing literature but also to highlight the ongoing efforts to preserve and study Native American languages, emphasizing their importance in understanding the rich cultural and historical significance of the tribes. Schoolcraft’s work aims to encourage translators and researchers to contribute to the development of this body of literature, thereby aiding in the preservation of these languages for future generations.
James Constantine Pilling
Catalogue Of Linguistic Manuscripts In The Library Of The Bureau Of Ethnology. (1881 N 01 / 1879-1880 (Pages 553-578))
"Catalogue Of Linguistic Manuscripts In The Library Of The Bureau Of Ethnology" by James C. Pilling is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. This book serves as a detailed catalog of linguistic resources preserved within the Bureau of Ethnology, reflecting the interest of this time in documenting and studying the languages of Native American tribes. Its primary topic revolves around the collection and organization of linguistic data intended for ethnological research. The content of the book gathers various linguistic manuscripts concerning the languages of Native American tribes, focusing on vocabularies, grammatical notes, and related linguistic material compiled by different collectors. It documents contributions from several ethnographers and linguists, detailing efforts to gather comparative vocabularies and insights into the structure of these languages. The book includes structured schedules and instructions for collectors, highlighting essential linguistic elements such as numerals, kinship terms, and geographic names. Overall, Pilling’s work aims to facilitate a systematic approach to studying the diverse linguistic heritage of Native American tribes, contributing significantly to the fields of linguistics and anthropology.
Recently surfaced classics