Powhatan language
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Powhatan language, also known as Virginia Algonquian, is an extinct language spoken by the Powhatan people of tidewater Virginia in the late 16th and early 17th century. It was the first language of Wahunsonacock and Pocahontas. What little is known of it is by way of word-lists recorded by William Strachey and Captain John Smith.
For the film The New World, Blair Rudes, a specialist in past and present American Indian languages from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, attempted a reconstruction of the language from these word-lists and knowledge of other Algonquian languages.
[edit] External links
- A Dead Indian Language Is Brought Back to Life accessed 12 December 2006 (with audio clips)
- How a linguist revived ‘New World’ language accessed 16 April 2006.
- UNC Charlotte linguist restores lost language, culture for 'The New World' accessed 16 April 2006.
- Native Languages of the Americas: Powhatan
- Online version of both Strachey & Smith's word lists accessed 05 Nov 2006.
