A Key Into the Language of America (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. The Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-EnglandBy Roger Williams
Length6h 6m
About this audiobook
A Key Into the Language of America (1643) is at once a phrasebook, ethnographic account, and theological meditation on encounter in early New England. Organized by practical topics—salutation, food, travel, trade, family, and belief—it records the Narragansett language with unusual attentiveness, pairing vocabulary and dialogue with observations on Indigenous customs. Its plain yet reflective prose belongs to the colonial literature of utility, but it also exceeds mere instruction, offering one of the earliest English attempts to understand Native life on its own terms. Roger Williams, the Puritan minister and founder of Providence Plantations, wrote from intimate experience among the Narragansett after his banishment from Massachusetts Bay for religious and political dissent. His advocacy of liberty of conscience, separation of church and civil authority, and fair dealings with Indigenous peoples shaped the book's humane curiosity. Williams's linguistic labor reflects both missionary-era pressures and his unusually respectful dependence on Native knowledge. This work is essential for readers interested in early American literature, Indigenous-colonial relations, linguistics, and religious dissent. Read critically, it remains a foundational document: imperfectly colonial, yet remarkably searching in its effort to translate not only words, but worlds.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.1 (203)
Includes Amazon, Goodreads
GenreOther
Length6 hrs 6 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 9, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1A Key Into the Language of America (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5PREFACE.
Show all chaptersShow less
6CHARTER
7CONSTITUTION.
8OFFICERS
9SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF ROGER WILLIAMS.
10TO MY DEARE AND WELBELOVED FRIENDS AND COUNTREYMEN, IN OLD AND NEW ENGLAND.
11DIRECTIONS FOR THE USE OF THE LANGUAGE.
12AN HELPE TO THE NATIVE LANGUAGE
13CHAPTER I.
14Of Salutation. —Observation.
15OBSERVATION.
16OBSERVATION.
17OBSERVATION.
18OBSERVATION.
19OBSERVATION.
20OBSERV.
21OBSERV.
22CHAP. II.
23Of Eating and Entertainment.
24The observation generall from their eating &c.
25CHAP. III.
26Concerning Sleepe and Lodging.
27From their Sleeping: The Observation generall.
28CHAP. IV.
29Of their Names.
30Numbers of the Masculine Gender.
31Of the Feminine Gender.
32From their Numbers, Observation Generall.
33CHAP. V.
34Of their relations of consanguinitie and affinitie, or, Blood and Marriage.
35From their Relations. —Observation generall.
36CHAP. VI.
37Of the Family and Businesse of the House.
38CHAP. VII.
39Of their Persons and parts of Body.
40The generall observation from the parts of the bodie.
41CHAP. VIII.
42Of Discourse and Newes.
43The generall Observation from their Discourse and Newes.
44CHAP. IX.
45Of the time of the day.
46The general Observation from their time of the Day.
47CHAP. X.
48Of the Season of the Yeere.
49Generall Observation from their Seasons of the Yeere.
50CHAP. XI.
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