(1.) The most important and purest of all monosyllabic languages, vernacular in the empire of China. It has several sub-dialects, and resembles some idioms of Central Asia. The mode of writing is considered to have originated from drawings of actual objects, somewhat analogous to the hieroglyphics of Egypt, or the picture writing of Mexico. The word “chin,” in Chinese, means “man,” “men,” i.e. the inhabitants of that part of Asia. Works by Sir J. F. Davis, Bart., “Chinese Miscellanies,” London, 1865; “Moral Maxims,” Macao, 1823; “Poetry of the Chinese,” London, 1870. Dicty. by Lobschied, Hong-Kong, (E. & C.) 1866-9; (C. &. E.) 1871.
(2.) Dialects are Amoy, Cantonese, Foochow, Mandarin, Miau, Punti, Shanghai.
Chinook.
(1.) American: language of the W. Dialects are Clatsop, Cathlascon or Wasco, and Wakaikam. Vocaby. in “Hale’s Exploring Expedition,” Philadelphia, 1840.
(2.) A mingled patois, spoken by traders on the R. Oregon, N. America, and the W. coast generally. Vocaby. in Schoolcraft’s “Indian Tribes.” See [Jargon].
Chippewayan.
A native dialect of N. America, sometimes called Ojibway, belonging to the Algonquin family of languages, spoken by races spread through Canada and the States, along Lakes Huron, Superior, and Winnepeg. They have a system of alphabetical characters very similar to the Cree.
See “Cree Grammar,” by Howse, London, 1805; Schoolcraft’s “Indian Tribes,” vol. ii., 4.
Chiquito.
A large class of dialects spoken by tribes of Naguiñañeis, in Bolivia, S. America. Used also for the Missions. ☞