Indian Languages Database
Record Details
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 customs, manners and worships, &c. of the aforesaid natives.
London: Gregory Dexter, 1643
Physical Description: [16], 91, 94-95, 92-93, 98-114, 105-197, [3] p. ; 16 cm. (8vo)
Call number: D643/ W721k
Accession number: 0401, 02747, 07666
Notes: Roger William's A key into the language of America: or, An help to the language of the natives in that part of America, called New-England is the first study of an indigenous language in America, according to J.C. Pilling. It consists of 32 chapters regarding various aspects of Naragansett life and includes a discussion of social life and customs regarding that activity and a glossary of words and phrases. Each chapter closes with the verses of a song in English, without music.
Three states of three pages of this edition exist: in the first, p. 92 following p. 95 has catchword "8epûo" not "Sepûo" and has "Rivelet" instead of "Rivulet"; in the second, p. 21 has catchword "Cha" instead of "Chap"; the third has the correct printing of "Is the water coole?" instead of "is the water coo" in the 7th line from bottom, right hand column of p. 12.
Three variants exist of this edition. JCB has 3 copies.
To access digital facsimile copy of book, click here. Copy 2 of this book may be seen here. Copy 3 of this book may be seen here.
Languages: Narragansett
Genre: Catechisms and Creeds / Dictionary / Grammar
Region: North America
