Algonquian–Basque pidgin

Algonquian–Basque pidgin, also known as Souriquois,[2] is a Basque-based pidgin proposed by linguist Peter Bakker to have been spoken by Basque whalers and various Algonquian peoples.[1] It was spoken around the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It was in use from at least 1580 until 1635,[2] and was last attested in 1711.[1][page needed]

Algonquian–Basque pidgin
Souriquois
RegionGulf of St. Lawrence
EthnicityBasques, local Algonquian peoples
Era16th to 18th century[1]
Basque-based pidgin
Language codes
ISO 639-3None (mis)
qba
Glottologbasq1252
Basque and Breton fishing sites in 16th and 17th centuries.

There were three groups of First Nations that the Basque people distinguished. The ones with which they had good relations were the Montagnais and the St. Lawrence Iroquoians. They also knew of the Inuit, whom they considered hostile. The Basque people referred to them as the Montaneses, the Canaleses, and the Esquimoas, respectively.[3]

Vocabulary

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Pidgin Original language English translation
Normandia Normandia (Basque), 'Normandy' French
kir kir (Mi'kmaq) you
ania anaia (Basque) brother
capitana capitaina (Basque), kapitaina in Standard Basque captain
endia andia (Basque), handia in Standard Basque large
chave chave (Romance) know
ouias wiya:s (Innu-aimun) meat
amiscou amisku (Innu-aimun) beaver

[2][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Bakker, Peter (Fall–Winter 1989). ""The Language of the Coast Tribes is Half Basque": A Basque-American Indian Pidgin in Use between Europeans and Native Americans in North America, ca. 1540-ca. 1640". Anthropological Linguistics. 31 (3/4). Trustees of Indiana University: 117–147. JSTOR 30027995.
  2. ^ a b c Mithun, Marianne (7 June 2001). The Languages of Native North America. Cambridge University Press. p. VII. ISBN 9781107392809.
  3. ^ "Echoes from the Past". Archived from the original on 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  4. ^ Gray, Edward (2000). The Language Encounter in the Americas, 1492-1800. Berghahn Books. pp. 342. ISBN 9781571812100. The Language Encounter in the Americas, 1492-1800: A Collection of Essays.

Further reading

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