Franz Boas Chinook language materials, 1880s-1942
Collection context
- Creator:
- Boas, Franz, 1858-1942 and Cultee, Charles
- Extent:
- 0.75 Linear Feet One wide manuscript box (six volumes and one folder)
- Language:
- Materials are primarily in Chinook with some Kathlamet dialect, and some English translations.
- Scope and content:
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This collection consists of six volumes of manuscript notes that contain Franz Boas's work on the Chinook language, which was spoken by Chinookans in the Pacific Northwest. It also includes one folder of 1942 correspondence concerning placement of the materials at Columbia.
Materials include two volumes of Boas's field notes from the early 1890s. These contain texts in Chinook and some Kathlamet dialect, with some interlinear English. The texts are marked to indicate where they where published in his Chinook Texts (1894) and Kathlamet Texts (1901). According to the introduction to Chinook Texts, Boas's primary linguistic informant was Charles Cultee.
Also found here are three volumes of Boas's manuscript "Dictionary of the Chinook Language - Chinook dialect," which was not published. The manuscript includes references to published sources for the various words and lnguistic constructions.
The final volume is Boas's manuscript "Chinook Grammar," which also was not published.
The Chinook language documented here is distinct from Chinook Jargon/Chinuk Wawa. The latter is a creole trade language derived from Chinook that developed in the 19th century in the Pacific Northwest.
Page-level description was created in preparation for potential digitization. Contact RBML for more information.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
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This collection is located onsite.
This collection has no restrictions.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu