You can download my dissertation on Chinook Jargon
If you’re interested in Chinook Jargon, you can download the dissertation I just defended in the University of Victoria’s department of linguistics:
“Kamloops Chinuk Wawa, Chinuk pipa, and the vitality of pidgins“
It’s a labour of love.
I’m so happy to share detailed information on the grammar of one Jargon variety, and about the still-obscure shorthand that thousands of Indigenous people used to write it.
In return: You will let me know your thoughts and questions, won’t you?
–Dave Robertson
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Hi, I am doing a little research on the usage of Chinook Jargon as code by Civil War soldiers for a podcast. I was wondering if you had any information about this? Online I keep finding the same story about correspondence between Generals Nesmith and Ingalls. Of course any help with this will be returned with credit due on the podcast. Thanks so much and I look forward to reading through your dissertation!
Melissa Lang
Kick Ass Oregon History
Corneliuslang@hotmail.com
Hi, Melissa, Chinook Jargon code talkers are a tantalizing subject. Reflecting on it, I can only remember the US Grant – Rufus Ingalls – Edwin Stanton incident. If anyone is reading this and has seen other stories like it, please let Melissa know. (Melissa, please let the rest of us know when your podcast is ready!)
Haven’t we also heard, on the old CHINOOK listserv at LinguistList, a little about Jargon being used in WW2?
This is a language that has its own word for “code talking”, ipsut wawa. It’s been used that way in homes, on marine radio among fishermen, etc. etc. And new historical documentation of CJ turns up all the time. So I expect you may well find more about Civil War use, with digging…
Cheers,
–Dave R.–
Here’s the earliest version I’ve found so far of the US Grant ‘Chinook code talk’ story:
http://books.google.com/books?id=jl0iAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA366&dq=chinook+hieroglyphics&hl=en&sa=X&ei=28ZmT8mRJKemiQLhg4GiDw&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAw
It purports to quote the actual Jargon message — which is pretty bad Chinook 🙂
Thank you so much Dave, I will look into the Jargon Code used in WW2. I am getting ready to record my segment this week for the Kick Ass Oregon History Podcast and will let you know when it is up. Though my segment is only a minute long! I am the intern and the lead historians are giving me a minute in a sort of prove your grit sort of way. So, if you like what you hear demand to the podcast that they should give me more time!!! They would love to hear from you too. If we do a longer segment on Chinook or Chinook Jargon we will definitely be contacting you for an interview. Thanks so much for your help!
Melissa Lang
I am trying to find out more about a code talker in WWI. My great uncle was fluent in French, English and 3 or four coastal native languages. He also spoke Chinook Jargon. Everyone in my area spoke it. One of my aunts said he was used as a code talker in France in WWI. That aunt was not given to exaggeration, so I tend to believe most of the things she talked about. Do you know of a place where I could possibly get more information?
Looking forward to it, Melissa!
Naika wawa aias mirsi
–Dave–