The Role of Christian Missionaries in Early Linguistic Research: Insights from Deseret and Hopi Documentation
Introduction
Christian missionaries, often labeled with blighted connotations, have played a significant role in the documentation and preservation of many indigenous languages. While their primary mission was religious, their efforts have inadvertently contributed immensely to the field of linguistics. This article delves into the specific contributions of Christian missionaries, using the Deseret alphabet and the documentation of the Hopi language as case studies. These examples highlight the complex legacy of colonial influence and the unintended consequences of missionary work in linguistic research.
Historical Context and Terminology
Missionaries, often seen as agents of cultural and linguistic imperialism, often employ the term "colonizer" more accurately to describe their actions. Their work was frequently characterized by a desire to convert and uplift, which sometimes entailed documenting and describing the languages of the indigenous populations they encountered. Their activities were not solely motivated by linguistics; rather, they sought to build bridges of understanding and facilitate communication, which often required linguistic knowledge.
The Deseret Alphabet: A Phonetic Adventure in Utah
Dates back to the mid-1850s when Brigham Young, the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the Mormons), promoted the Deseret alphabet among Utah Mormons. The primary goal was to facilitate the learning of English by foreign immigrants to Utah. While the Deseret alphabet did not gain widespread acceptance, it nevertheless provides valuable insights into the linguistic and cultural practices of the time.
The Deseret alphabet was designed to be phonetic, allowing for accurate transcription of spoken language. As a result, it offers clues to the pronunciation of its users. For instance, the transcription of the title page of the Book of Mormon using the Deseret phonetic alphabet reveals interesting linguistic clues:
(Transcription in Deseret alphabet) n e bk v mmn n kawnt tn baj e hnd v mmnn
These transcriptions provide a window into the pronunciation of English as used in Utah during the mid-19th century. For example, the word "the" is transcribed without an explicit vowel, and "an" is transcribed with the short 'a' vowel, as in "cat," which differs from the modern pronunciation. The transcription of "also" as [lso] suggests a more British-like pronunciation than the American one used today.
Meeting the Hopi: Documenting an Endangered Language
In 1860, two Mormon missionaries were sent to the Hopi Native American tribe with the dual objectives of enhancing relations and documenting their language. The missionaries brought with them notebooks and supplies, including the Deseret alphabet, to aid in their linguistic endeavors. Their documentation efforts provide a wealth of information on the Hopi language, which remains a key resource for contemporary linguistic research.
The documentation of the Hopi language by these missionaries not only contributes to our understanding of the language itself but also offers insights into the broader cultural context of the missionaries' work. The use of the Deseret alphabet in such a context highlights the multifaceted nature of missionary activities and their long-term impacts on linguistic documentation.
Implications and Reflections
The contributions of Christian missionaries to linguistic documentation, while often overshadowed by colonial and imperialist contexts, are significant. Their work, facilitated by the use of phonetic alphabets like the Deseret, has provided invaluable data for linguists and historians. This case study demonstrates the complex interplay between religious and linguistic goals, and the unintended yet profound effects of missionary activities on the preservation and study of indigenous languages.
The Deseret alphabet and the documentation of the Hopi language serve as testaments to the enduring value of missionary work in linguistics. Understanding these historical efforts is crucial for appreciating the richness and complexity of linguistic research, and for recognizing the ongoing importance of such documentation in the preservation of endangered languages.
Through meticulous documentation and the use of innovative tools like the Deseret alphabet, Christian missionaries have left a lasting legacy in linguistics. Even as we critically evaluate the broader historical context, it is essential to acknowledge and appreciate the unintended contributions of missionary work to the field of linguistics.