Algonquian–Basque pidgin

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Algonquian–Basque pidgin
Region
Gulf of Saint Lawrence
Era16th to 18th century[1]
Basque-based pidgin
Language codes
ISO 639-3None (mis)
Glottologbasq1252

Algonquian–Basque pidgin, also known as Souriquois,

Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It was in use from at least 1580 until 1635,[2] and was last attested in 1711.[1][page needed
]

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

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]

Sample phrases

Algonquian–Basque pidgin Basque English
Ania, kir capitana? Anaia, capitana al zara? Brother, are you a captain?
Ania capitana ouias amiscou. Anaia capitana kastor haragia. Brother captain beaver's meat.
Endia chave Normandia. Frantsesek gauza asko dakite. The French know a lot of things.
Gara gara ender-quir gara gara. Guda izango dugu. There will be war if we continue like this.
Maloes mercatora. Malo Deunakoak merkatari bidegabekoak dira. Those of Saint-Malo are unfair traders.
Nola zaude? Apezak obeto. Nola zaude? Apaizak hobeto. How are you? The priests are better.

See also

References

Further reading