Key Into the language of America with Lorén Spears
About this event
In 1643 Roger Williams, founder of the colony of Rhode Island and a trader, published his Key Into the Language of America. He intended it to be used as a guidebook to language for traders, and recorded what he thought were useful phrases and their translation into English. But in its observations, insights, and preservation of the Narragansett/Algonquian language, it has become one of the most important documents of early Indigenous American culture, a testament to the power and vibrancy of Eastern Woodland Native life before the greater devastation of land loss, war, and disease of the late 17th century.
Join Lorén Spears, Narragansett, educator, and executive director of the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, Rhode Island, in exploring this unique window onto early Native life in New England. We will be reading the Tomaquag Museum Edition of A Key Into the Language, edited by Loren and other members of the Narragansett Tribe. Here, language provides an opening on to a rich, nuanced, warm, and generous culture - so generous, as Williams remarked, that the Narragansett surpassed the so-called Christians in their welcoming of the visitor and willingness to share.
Roger Williams' colonial and Puritan worldview colored his observations, making the teasing out of his prejudices from the historical record part of the challenge of reading his book. The important notes added to this superb edition by a Narragansett editorial team led by Loren Spears and contributions by renown scholar Kathleen J. Bragdon, professor of anthropology and linguistics at William and Mary University, add a crucial Native perspective and comment on Williams' historical and linguistic accuracy.
PLEASE NOTE
This is an online book discussion. You'll be a lot happier if you've read the book. You can buy a copy from the Tomaquag Museum, from the publisher, or from bookstores or online.
The Zoom link will be sent to you twice after you register: two days prior to the event, and two hours in advance. If you have any questions, please contact us on phbostons@gmail.com
And note: this event will be recorded and put on our YouTube channel and website. If you do not wish to be filmed, please turn off your camera.