Zib, Stone, rock.
Zic, King, ruler.
Such was the Haytian language, once spoken by several millions, and a western branch of the Pelagic stock; that derived from the Asiatic Pelegs and Palis, once peopled nearly all the shores of the Mediterranean 3 or 4000 years ago.
The following comparative vocabularies will prove this fact. They have not been made to support it; but to find the truth, and the probable ancestors of this American nation, by seeking them all over the earth. If this nation one of the nearest to the eastern hemisphere, is thus found of such remote antiquity, those further removed and inland may well be deemed equally old, or rather older still: which their own history shall disclose.
Out of the 234 words collected; many it will be perceived, are hardly comparable; being names of peculiar animals and plants. About 200 offer comparisons with our languages well known. It must be remarked that the Spaniards borrowed many Haytian words, which have since been introduced into Spanish and other European languages. Humboldt has given a list of them. Those admitted in the English language now are, hurricane, canoe, keys or islands, tobacco, pimento, yam, tomato, cassava, savana, mahogany, patatas, mangrove, indigo, copal, maize, bananas, parrot, guano, coco, cacao, guava, hammock or hanging bed &c.; which must not be compared, since they have been borrowed by us from the Haytian. The Spaniards have besides, chichas, balza, Cazic spelt cacique, aguti, manati, maguey, tiburo, guayac, macana, bejuco, nigua, tuna, aji, zeyba, &c.
Yet several of those words may be usefully compared in ancient languages often extinct, previous to the late connection with America. Thus we find analogies for maize, canoe, cazic, cayman, yam, chicha, macana, manati &c., in many: indicating very ancient connections.—Even the words manati, hurricane, canoe, nigua &c., have affinities in modern Italic languages, not derived from Hayti.
Comparative Taino Vocabulary of Hayti.
Authorities,—R. Roman—C. Columbus—D. Dangleria,—Ac. Acosta,—Her. Herrera,—M. Munoz,—L. Las-Casas,—O. Oviedo,—G. Garcia or Gili,—E. Edwards,—H. Humboldt,—V. Vater,—A. all or nearly all of them,—Laet,—Diaz,—St. Mery,—Ey. Eyeri Dialect.
All or whole Quis R. D. Xus O.
Analogies, Oya Congo, Jikoga Japan, Chukoat Nepal, Huy Copt, Qualunque Italy.—Ixquich Mexican, Kiyih Mohigan &c.