Chap. XVIII.
Of their Language.
Of their Language.
Of their Language.
Of their Language which is onely peculiar to themselves, not inclining to any of the refined tongues. Some have thought they might be of the dispersedIewes, because some of their words be neare unto theHebrew; but by the same rule they may conclude them to be some of the gleanings of all Nations, because they have words which sound after theGreeke,Latine,French, and other tongues: Their Language is hard to learne; few of theEnglishbeing able to speake any of it, or capable of the right pronunciation, which is the chiefe grace of their tongue. They pronounce much after the Diphthongs, excludingLandR, which in ourEnglishTongue they pronounce with as much difficulty, as most of theDutchdoeTandH, calling a Lobster aNobstann. Every Countreydoth something differ in their Speech, even as our Northerne people doe from the Southerne, and Westerne from them; especially theTarrenteens, whose Tongues runne so much uponR, that they wharle much in pronunciation. When any ships come neare the shore, they demand whether they be KingCharleshisTorries, with such a rumbling sound, as if one were beating an unbrac't Drumme. In serious discourse our SoutherneIndiansuse seldome any shortColloquiums, but speake their minds at large, without any interjected interruptions from any: The rest giving diligent audience to his utterance; which done, some or other returnes him as long an answere, they love not to speakemulta sed multum, seldome are their words, and their deeds strangers. According to the matter in discourse, so are their acting gestures in their expressions. One of theEnglishPreachers in a speciall good intent of doing good to their soules, hath spent much time in attaining to their Language, wherein he is so good a proficient, that he can speake to their understanding, and they to his; much loving and respecting him for his love and counsell. It is hoped that he may be an instrument of good amongst them. They love any man that can utter his minde in their words, yet are they not a little proud that they can speake theEnglishtongue, using it as much as their owne, when they meete with such as can understand it, puzling strangerIndians, which sometimes visite them from more remote places, with an unheard language.