Language
The Indians of Southern New England spoke languages related to the Eastern Algonquian family, which extended along the Atlantic drainage from the Maritime provinces to North Carolina. Speakers of one Eastern Algonquian dialect could generally converse in the one spoken by their neighbors, but communication became difficult the farther one traveled away from home.
Contemporary linguists have identified three Eastern Algonquian languages:
- Massachusett (including the dialects spoken from the Saco River to Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and southeastern Rhode Island);
- Narragansett (primarily on the west side of Narragansett Bay); and
- Mohegan Pequot (including a range of dialects in southeastern Connecticut from the Pawcatuck to the Connecticut rivers)
Much of our work on our language was done by David Tall Pine White, who was known among our people as a spiritual leader and community activist and teacher of the Nipmuck language. David had an extensive background working with Indigenous leaders, healers and teachers from a wide variety of cultures from all over the Western Hemisphere. His focus was in supporting the preservation and sustainability of Nipmuck language and culture, creating positive change by promoting relationships and mutual understanding with all communities in the southern New England region.
July 18, 1972 - April 16, 2020
“There’s a lot of wisdom and knowledge in our language,” said White, a community activist and teacher of Nipmuc language, history and culture. “Based on the observations of nature over thousands of years, it shows how our surroundings are alive and an important part of life itself. It teaches an appreciation and purpose of each living thing.”
Our language section is in honor of David. We hope you will enjoy your experience here as we engage in learning together.