Cyrus Byington
| Cyrus Byington | |
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Rev. Cyrus Byington
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| Born | March 11, 1793 |
| Died | December 31, 1868 |
| Residence | Massachusetts, Mississippi, Oklahoma |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Minister, linguist |
Cyrus Byington (March 11, 1793 – December 31, 1868) was a White Christian missionary from Massachusetts who worked with the Choctaw in Mississippi and later in Indian Territory, later called Oklahoma, during the 19th century. He set out to construct a lexicon of the Choctaw language in order to translate Christian prayers, hymns, and bible passages. Byington's work is considered one of the most complete lexicons for a Native American language. He worked for nearly fifty years translating Choctaw as a written language.
Contents
Byington's work
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The Choctaw language is a member of the Muskogean family and was well known among the frontiersmen, such as U.S. President Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison, of the early 19th century. The language is closely related to Chickasaw and some linguists consider the two varieties a single language. The following table is an example of Choctaw text and its translation:
| Chata Anumpa: Hattak yuka keyu hokυtto yakohmit itibachυfat hieli kυt, nan isht imaiυlhpiesa atokmυt itilawashke; yohmi ha hattak nana hohkia, keyukmυt kanohmi hohkia okla moma nana isht aim aiυlhpiesa, micha isht aimaiυlhtoba he aima ka kanohmi bano hosh isht ik imaiυlhpieso kashke. Amba moma kυt nana isht imachukma chi ho tuksυli hokmakashke.[1] |
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English Language: That all free men, when they form a special compact, are equal in rights, and that no man or set of men are entitled to exclusive, separate public emolument or privileges from the community, but in consideration of public services.[1] |
Orthography
The written Choctaw language is based upon English version of the Roman alphabet and was developed in conjunction with the civilization program of the United States in the early 19th century. Byington's alphabet and a version modified by John Swanton is seen here.
Byington (Original)
Byington/Swanton (Linguistic)
Works
- English and Choctaw Definer (Holisso Anumpa Tosholi), 1852
- Grammar of the Choctaw Language, 1870
- Choctaw Dictionary, 1915
