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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 Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc. cover

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 Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.

Chapter 34: CHAP. X.
By Roger Williams
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About This Book

The work presents a practical lexicon of Indigenous words from New England, offering English equivalents, pronunciation hints, and variant spellings alongside brief notes on usage. Entries are arranged in dictionary-style lists and paired with concise observations about local customs, social practices, place names, and forms of worship, often illustrated by examples and cross-references. Interspersed commentary reflects the compiler's encounters and aims to aid communication and comprehension between English speakers and the native population. The text also includes introductory material on method and occasional polemical or explanatory remarks about cultural differences.


CHAP. X.

Of the Season of the Yeere.

Nquittaqúnnegat, One day.
Neesqúnnagat, 2 dayes.
Shuckqunóckat, 3 dayes.
Yowunnóckat &c. 4 dayes.
Piuckaqúnnagat, 10 dayes.
Piuckaqunnagat nabnaquìt, 11 dayes.
Piuckaqunnagat nabneeze &c. 12 dayes.
Neesneechektashuck qunnóckat, 20 dayes.
Neesneechektashuck 21 dayes.
qunnockat-nabnaquít &c.
Séquan, The Spring.
Aukeeteámitch, Spring, or seed-time.
Néepun, &
Quaqúsquan, Summer.
Taquònck, Fall of leafe and Autumne.
Papóne, Winter.
Saséquacup, This Spring last.
Yo neepúnnacup, This Summer last.
Yò taquónticup, This Harvest last.
Papapôcup, Winter last.
Yaûnedg, The last yeere.
Nippaûus, The Sunne.
Munnánnock,
Nanepaûshat, The Moone.
Nquitpawsuckenpaûus, 1 Moneth.
Neespausuck npaûus, 2 Moneths.
Shwe pausuck npaûus &c. 3 Moneths.
Neesneáhettit, 2 Moneths.
Shwinneáhettit, 3 Moneths.
Yowinneáhettit, &c. 4 Moneths.

Obs: They have thirteen Moneths according to the severall Moones; and they give to each of them significant names: as,

Sequanakéeswush, Spring moneth.
Neepunnakéeswush, Summer moneth.
Taquontikéeswush, Harvest moneth, &c.
Paponakéeswush, &c. Winter moneth, &c.
Nquittecautúmmo, 1 Yeere.
Tashecautúmmo? How many Yeeres?
Chashecautúmmo cuttáppemus? How many yeeres since you were borne?
Neesecautúmmo, 2 Yeere.
Shwecautúmmo, 3 Yeere.
Yowecautúmmo, 4 Yeere.
Piukquecautúmmo, 10 Yeere.
Piuck quecautúmmo, nabnaquìt, &c. 11 Yeere, &c.

Obs: If the yeere proove drie, they have great and solemne meetings from all parts at one high place, to supplicate their Gods, and to beg raine, and they will continue in this worship ten dayes, a fortnight, yea, three weekes, untill raine come.

Tashínash papónash? How many winters?
Aháuqushapapòne, A sharpe winter.
Kéesqush keesuckquâi, By day.
Náukocks nokan-náwi, By night.

Generall Observation from their Seasons of the Yeere.

The Sunne, and Moone, and Starres and Seasons of the yeere doe preach a God to all the sonnes of men, that they which know no letters, doe yet read an eternall Power and Godhead in these.

More speciall:

1. The Sun and Moone and Stars doe preach,
The Dayes and Nights sound out
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter eke,
Each Moneth and Yeere about.
2. So that the wildest sonnes of men
Without excuse shall say,
God’s righteous sentence past on us,
(In dreadfull judgement day.)
If so, what doome is theirs that see,
Not onely Nature’s light,
But Sun of Righteousnesse, yet chose
To live in darkest Night?