Chinook Jargon
That Thomas Russell communicated with the majority of Haida through the language ‘Chinook Jargon’ is evidenced by the following quotes in his diary:
“He speaks Chinook very indifferently. When speaking of himself, he always uses the first person pronoun both in English and Chinook (Nika, me): I presume he thinks he cannot express it too clearly so he gives both.”
“I get along very well with Skidegate as he speaks Chinook pretty fluently, but good-natured little Scotchguy talks away for an hour, and I am just as wise as when he began. He jumbles up Hydah Chinook and English in such a way that I often wonder if he knows himself what he is talking about. When I think he is talking about anything of importance, I get someone to interpret.”
Scattered through Russell’s diary are the following Chinook Jargon words, the english translation for which is provided here:
cultaz potlatch
Also spelled: Cultas Potlatch Dates of useage: Sunday 27th November 1870; Sunday 29th January 1871; Tuesday 7th March 1871; Meaning: A gift with no reciprocal obligation expected.
hyassclosh
Date of useage: Tuesday 7th February 1871; Though written as one word by Russell, this is probably two words: hyass meaning important closh (Russell spelling - which in the dictionary is kloshe or kloose) meaning good, correct or right. Meaning: Though the meaning is not readily apparent, taken together these two words aseemingly signify something like ‘important and right to do’.
Iktas
Dates of useage: Sunday 27th November; Sunday 29th January 1871; Russell translation: Goods
Keeysly
Dates of useage: Sunday 6th November 1870; Russell translation: officer in charge
Klootchman
Dates of useage: Wed 12th October 1870; Monday 28th November 1870; Meaning: A woman or ‘female” (of anything). Note: Although the modern Chinook Jargon dictionary states that word ’klootchman’ today is not derisive, it was considered either derisive or demeaning by Captain Gold and his wife – and was meant to be so by Russell.
Muckmuck
Date of useage: Sunday 13th November; Meaning: Food. Note: According to the dictionary this word is actually ‘muck-a-muck’
Siwash
Dates of useage: Wednesday 21st September; Saturday 29th October; Monday 28th November; Friday 16th December; Sunday 15th January 1871; Sunday 12th February; Tuesday 14th February; Meaning: A First Nations man, but sometimes used for women as well. Note: The origins and meaning may be considered pejorative and derogatory French sauvage (savage). Russell at times used it in a derisive way, but not always.
SucKally Tihee
Dates of useage: Tuesday 14th February 1871; Meaning: God. Note: Russell’s spelling differs from that of George Gibbs’ Dictionary of the Chinook Jargon which spells it Sagh-a-lieTyee
Tihee
Date of useage: Sunday 15th January 1871; Meaning: Chief
References
Gibbs, George. 1863. Dictionary of the Chinook Jargon, or, Trade Language of Oregon [Abridged].
Chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.washington.edu/uwired/outreach/cspn/Website/Classroom%20Materials/Curriculum%20Packets/Treaties%20&%20Reservations/Documents/Chinook_Dictionary_Abridged.pdf
Chinook-English Dictionary https://www.translationdirectory.com/dictionaries/dictionary037.php
Wikipedia: Chinook Jargon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_Jargon