A Grammar of Patwin

A Grammar of Patwin is the first published description of the Patwin language, compiled from two hundred years of word lists, notebooks, audio recordings, and manuscripts from archives across the United States. It provides a clear and well-organized description of the language, supported by ample archival evidence, and is written by Lewis C. Lawyer, who consulted with Patwin communities and individuals to ensure its cultural appropriateness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 470 pages
Publication date: 19 February 2022
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Published through the Recovering Languages and Literacies of the Americas initiative, supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Patwin (also known as Wintun Tʼewe) is a Native American language that was once spoken in hundreds of communities throughout California's interior. Today, it is spoken by a small but growing number of language revitalizationists and their students.

A Grammar of Patwin is a groundbreaking work that brings together two hundred years of word lists, notebooks, audio recordings, and manuscripts from archives across the United States. It synthesizes this scattered collection into the first published description of the Patwin language. The book not only sheds light on the knowledge of past speakers and researchers but also provides a clear and well-organized description supported by ample archival evidence.

Lewis C. Lawyer, the author of the book, addresses the full range of grammatical structure with chapters on phonetics, phonology, nominals, nominal modifiers, spatial terms, verbs, and clauses. He meticulously describes the notable variation between dialects at every level of grammatical structure. An introductory chapter provides geographical and historical context for the language, as well as a detailed account of previous work on the language and the archival materials on which the study is based. Throughout the writing process, Lawyer maintained close contact with Patwin communities and individuals, ensuring that the content is appropriate from a cultural perspective.

This book is a significant contribution to the field of linguistics and cultural preservation. It will be valuable to scholars, students, and anyone interested in learning more about the Patwin language and its rich linguistic heritage. The Recovering Languages and Literacies of the Americas initiative continues to play a vital role in preserving and revitalizing indigenous languages across the Americas, and works like A Grammar of Patwin are instrumental in achieving this goal.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496230423