And thus prepared, we need feel no surprise on being told that the Zuni Indians require "much facial contortion and bodily gesticulation to make their sentences perfectly intelligible;" that the language of the Bushman needs so many signs to eke out its meaning, that "they are unintelligible in the dark;" and that the Arapahos "can hardly converse with one another in the dark."
When people of different languages meet, especially if they speak languages of different stocks, a means of communication is rapidly established between them, composed partly of signs and partly of oral words, the latter taken from one or both of the languages, but curiously modified so as hardly to be recognized. Such conventional languages are usually called "jargons," and their existence is rather brief.
When people communicate with each other in this manner, oral speech is greatly assisted by sign-language, and it is true that darkness impedes their communication. The great body of frontiersmen in America who associate more or less with the Indians depend upon jargon methods of communication with them; and so we find that various writers and travelers describe Indian tongues by the characteristics of this jargon speech. Mr. Spencer usually does.
The Zuni and the Arapaho Indians have a language with a complex grammar and copious vocabulary well adapted to the expression of the thoughts incident to their customs and status of culture, and they have no more difficulty in conveying their thoughts with their language by night than Englishmen have in conversing without gaslight. An example from each of three eminent authors has been taken to illustrate the worthlessness of a vast body of anthropologic material to which even the best writers resort.
Anthropology needs trained devotees with philosophic methods and keen observation to study every tribe and nation of the globe almost de novo; and from, materials thus collected a science may be established.
INDEX
Anthropologic archæology [73], [74]
data, limitation of use of [73-86]
ethnic characteristics [76], [77]
history, customs [76], [77]
language [78-81]
mythology [81], [82]
origin of man [77], [78]
picture writing [75]
psychology [83], [86]
sociology [83]
Archæology, Limitations to the Use of, in study of anthropology [73], [74]
Ethnic characteristics, Limitations to the use of, in study of anthropology [76]
History and customs, Limitations to the use of, in study of anthropology [76], [77]
Language, Limitations to the use of, in study of anthropology [78], [81]
Man, Origin of, in connection with the study of anthropology [77], [78]
Mythology, Limitations to the use of, in study of anthropology [81], [82]
Origin of man, in connection with the study of anthropology [77], [78]
Picture writing, Limitations to the use of, in study of anthropology [75]
Psychology, Limitations to the use of, in the study of anthropology [83], [86]