[Minak-oknahose]

Great News for learners! A new 2010 Tutelo-English Etymological Dictionary has been written and published by William Meuse (Minak-oknahose) in consultation with Tanya (Spilleddi) of this SaponiTown forum! Press release follows:

Based on colonial historians like Robert Beverley and Hugh Jones, it’s believed that the Siouan Tutelo (or Yesanechi) language was once something like *the* international language of the Virginia region, even as late as 1720 – being used in intertribal trade, diplomacy, and even prayers by Siouan, Algonquian and Iroquoian peoples alike. The language was thus sometimes compared to Latin as used in Europe.

Among the Siouan subtribes speaking intelligible dialects were the Monacan, Moneton, Saponi, Nahyssan, Manahoac, and Occaneechi. Between 1670 and 1702, most were driven out of Virginia, and into North Carolina, by the Iroquois. Here, they coalesced as the “Tutelo-Saponi“; their later wanderings took them back into Virginia, through Pennsylvania, and into New York, before finally settling in Canada. By 1870, when scholars began to study and record Tutelo, there were only few speakers left, living among the Cayuga tribe in Ontario.

After lying dormant for near 100 years, the Tutelo language (Yesanechi) is once again being revitalized into the 21st century, with considerable interest in exploring the grammar to be found among today’s Virginia Natives, as well as others of all backgrounds.

It is to these scholars, and to the native Tutelo who informed them, that we are largely indebted for the fact that now, the sounds of a speech developed along the rivers of Virginia and West Virginia, may once again be heard wafting throughout its former natural habitat!

Tutelo features a rich verbal tense system, adding to evidence that it is probably the oldest member of the Siouan family. The new 2010 Tutelo (Yesanechi) Etymological Lexicon is perfect for students wishing to increase vocabulary, as well as those trying to get to the roots of Tutelo.

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/tutelo-%28yesanechi%29-etymological-lexicon/8560406

Free preview of first few pages! The Tutelo (Yesanechi) Etymological Lexicon, Vol. 2 in the Virginia Language Series, is available now at the low introductory price of only $14.95 for paperback copy (3-5 days by mail) or $9.90 instant download. It was previously almost impossible to find a comprehensive Tutelo dictionary, let alone one this affordable or easy to learn from. Grab yours today at Lulu.com , and tell anyone you know who may be interested in Language Revitalisation!

• This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by MarcSnelling.
• This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by MarcSnelling.

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