Possible CJ passage in 1862 diary

[Jim Holton]

I'll try to fill in the blank on Francisc tranlation:

jhehh  => chi  (go)
jhehh kallepy => go back

Kl., Jim


Francisc Czobor wrote:
> Klahowya,
>  
> I think I've got some idea what's about in that passage of Clah's diary.
> I is CJ for sure, but the transcription is very unusual, and some 
> words look very strange, difficult to interpret.
> First, I believe that there are some misspellings or misreadings in 
> the CJ passage.
> Thus, in some words seems to be a "h" where an "a" would be expected: 
> thus, I'd read "Claksta" for "Claksth" and "kah mieka" for "khhmieka". 
> Then, "eolyhean" looks very strange; I suppose that maybe it should be 
> read "eelyhee(n)" and interpreted as illahee/ili'i (earth, land, 
> ground, sometimes also: village). "Ahale-keg" could be the name of a 
> tribe/band. I can't figure out what could mean "jhehh". Also the reply 
> "Ja, co" is very misterious ("co" could be CJ ko/q'u' "arrive").
> Below the CJ dialogue between Capt. McNeill and Clah in my 
> understanding: first line is Clah's rendering with my corrections, 
> second line phonetic CJ, and third: English translation.
>  
> Capt.:  Clah weik mieka Nanege Claksta kah mieka Clethoowa  
>            Clah wik mayka nanich Laksta qaX mayka Latuwa  
>            Clah didn't you see anybody where you went?  
>  
> Clah: Naka Nansege Mox the Caname  
>         nayka nanich makwst kanim  
>         I saw two canoes.  
>  
> Capt.: Closs Nanege Mieka Man of War Ahale-keg  
>           Lush nanich mayka "Man of War Ahale-keg"  
>           Good you see the Ahale-keg warriors (?) or: Look out the 
> Ahale-keg warriors (?)  
> Clah: Ja, Co. (=???)  
>  
> Capt.: Clah Closs mieka jhehh kallepy Coppah Duncan eelyhee(n)  
>          Clah Lush mayka ??? k'ilapay kopa Duncan ili'i (?)  
>          Clah you better ??? back to Duncan land (= Duncan's village = 
> Metlakatla ?)  
>  
> This is all I was able to figure out. Maybe someone else has a better 
> idea.
>  
> Klush nanich,
> Francisc
>
> */Chris Roth <cfroth at EARTHLINK.NET>/* wrote:
>
>     Hello all,
>
>     What follows is an 1862 entry from the diary of A. W. Clah, a
>     Tsimshian trader at Fort Simpson
>     (today Port Simpson or Lax Kw'alaams), B.C., a Tsimshian village.
>     My Tsimshian is good, but my CJ
>     is rusty, and I feel sure the passage in this entry is in CJ. Can
>     anyone tell me what it means? More
>     information on request if people are curious about these diaries,
>     the place of CJ in Tsimshian
>     communities, etc.
>
>     ----------
>     Monday morning the 28 1862. Nicely weather. I get up about early
>     morning. I taking small pox
>     man in my canoe to sent at hom. Clah an Quadlenoh South wind and
>     Clah arrived @ hom about
>     half pass 12 o clock an in the same day an it was Duncan sent
>     letter to with Capt McNeill an about
>     dinner time an I walk oude side Fort and Kithone coming from Nass
>     River. good many person
>     looks me when I walking. Some white people an some Tsimshens an
>     Neshaki spoken to me. Clah I
>     want ask to you. an I hath some good news for you she said. an
>     Clah say very good maam. and
>     Neshaki saying Clah you must not tell lie you tell truth she said.
>     This was Mr Duncan sent letter to
>     Capt Mc Neill you killing 3 whit men. This was letter saying.& I
>     am very near crying and I am
>     astonished for blame to me and Capt McNeill look my face. an he
>     said. Clah weik mieka Nanege
>     Claksth khhmieka Clethoowa. Clah said Naka Nansege Mox the Caname.
>     an Capt Say Closs Nanege
>     Mieka Man of War Ahale-keg. Ja, Co. Capt Say Clah Closs mieka
>     jhehh kallepy Coppah Duncan
>     eolyhean? an I gone back at night. Clah Arrived on Tuesday morning
>     @ medlekhadle and I give
>     letter with Mr Duncan.
>     ----------
>
>     Clah is the name of the author. Medelkhadle is Metlakatla, B.C.
>
>     I hope someone can help. Thank you!
>
>     Chris Roth
>     cfroth at earthlink.net
>
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>
>
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