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Jargon Words in Native Languages
It is interesting to note that in areas where Chinook Jargon has become a thing of the past and the native language is still somewhat intact, certain Jargon words have made their way into the local speech and remained in use, while the speakers are unaware of their origin. Mahsie has become the standard word for "thanks" in Carrier and at least one other Athabaskan dialect. "Bus" (from pits-pits, "cat"), le plait ("priest"), and goshoo ("pig") are also used. Variants of these last three words are evident in many native languages. For example, Tlingit people call bacon "goshoo tai." "Tai" is Tlingit for "fat," hence "pig fat," or bacon. Mowitch ("deer"), of Nootka origin, is commonly heard on the west coast of Vancouver Island, but I've heard Nez Perce and S'Klallam use it, as well. The Nez Perce use capote ("coat"), and the Chehalis call white people "pa has tin," which may have originated from the Chinook Jargon Boston. These are just the few examples that I have heard -- there are certainly more. DUANE PASCO |