A key into the language of America, or, An help to the language of the natives in that part of America called New-England together with briefe observations of the customes, manners and worships, &c. of the aforesaid natives, in peace and warre, in life and death : on all which are added spirituall observations, generall and particular, by the authour ... / by Roger Williams ...

Directions for the use of the LANGUAGE.

1. A Dictionary or Grammer way I had consideration of, but purposely avoided, as not so accommodate to the Benefit of all, as I hope this Forme is.

2. A Dialogue also I had thoughts of, but avoi∣ded for brevities sake, and yet (with no small paines) I have so framed every Chapter and the matter of it, as I may call it a•…•… Implicite Dialogue.

3. It is framed chiefly after the Narroganset Dialect, because most spoken in the Countrey, and yet (with attending to the variation of peoples and Dialects) it will be of great use in all parts of the Countrey.

4. Whatever your occasion bee either of Travell, Discourse, Trading &c.

•…•…turne to the Table which will direct you to the Proper Chapter.

5. Because the Life of all Language is in the Pro∣nuntiation, I have been at the paines and charges to Cause the Accents, Tones, or sounds to be affixed, (which some understand, according to the Greeke Language, Acutes, Graves, Circumflexes) for ex∣ample,

in the second leafe in the word Ewò He: the sound or Tone must not be put on E, but wò where the grave Accent is.

In the same leafe, in the word Ascowequássin, the sound must not be on any of the Syllables, but o•…•… quáss, where the Acute or sharp sound is.

In the same leafe in the word Anspaumpmaûn. tam, the sound must not be on any other syllable but Maûn, where the Circumflex or •…•…long sounding Accent is.

6. The English for every Indian word or phrase stands in a straight line directly against the Indi∣an: yet sometimes there are two words for the same thing (for their Language is exceeding copious and they have five or six words sometimes for one thing) and then the English stands against them both: for example in the second leafe,

Cowaunckamish & Cuckquénamish.

I pray your Favour.