The Chinook Jargon was the commercial language used by the fur traders and Indians aicmg' the Oregon coast. Later it was popularized aomewhat by missionaries vtho translated hymns and portions of the Bible into the Jargon for the benefit of the Indians. According to the "Centennial History of Oregon,** "the origin of many words in the Chinook Jargon is unknown. - This jargon is supposed to have been introduced by the first voyagers to the Oregon coast in search of furs, and was added to from time to time by Indians, travelers and fur traders. It contains some Indian, words and some corrupted French and KngliA words, and . some of it is pure fiction." There are nearly sevenrhundred words in the Chinook Jargon, only few of w{iich have found their way into literature. The once popular Jargon has subserved its purpose and gradually disappeared upon the. approach of the comprehensive English, so that there are comparatively few who* wpeak. the barbarous dialect at the present time.
The following interlinear copy of the Lord's Prayer is given as a sample of this lingua franca:
Nesika papa klaxta mltllta kopa Sabalee Uoahe • Our Father who dwellest Ja the Aboye Bsmd
kopa nesika tumtum • mflca nsm. Nesika hiyu .tikeh in our hearts (be) Thy name. We greatly long for
chahco nilka illahee. Mamook Mika kloshe tumtum kopa the coming of Thy kingdom. Do Thy good will with
okoke illahee kahkwa kopa Sahalee. Potlach konoway this world as also In the heavens. Give (us) day by
sun nesika muckamuck; pee mahlee konoway nesika mesahchee day our bread; and remember not all our wickedness
kahkwa neska mamook kopa klaska spose mamook mesahchee even as we do also with others if they do evil •
kopa nesika. Wake lolo nesika kopa peshak, pee marsh unto onrselTee. Not bring m Into danger,, but put siah kopa nesika konoway mesahchee. Kloshe kahkwa: faravay tram us all evil. So may it be. . .
iTranslatioA from Oill's "Chinook Jargon Dictionary*"
