An English-Dakota Dictionary

by John P. Williamson, John Poage Williamson, D.D. Williamson, John P., A.M.

Book Overview

The language of the Dakota people was first put into written form by missionaries who lived within and learned from the Dakota community in the Minnesota River valley. John P. Williamson (1835-1917), son of missionary Dr. Thomas S. Williamson, grew up speaking both English and Dakota, then spent most of his adult life as a missionary on the Santee Reservation in northeastern Nebraska. In 1902, he produced An English-Dakota Dictionary.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0873512839
• ISBN13: 9780873512831
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

John P. Williamson

John P.Williamson married my Great Great Aunt Sarah, my great great grandmothers sister. I recently pulled out of my trunk of family heirlooms a book about him and started reading it. I am not yet finished but close. What a man. I can only imagine what a good job his translation is. For his day and time, for the modes of transportation they did not have, he sure got around and met quite a few important people.

English-Dakota Dictionary

This is an excellent English-Dakota dictionary, but be aware that it does not include a Dakota-English section. The Dakota-English volume is sold separately (ISBN 0873512820) and is also high quality. The English-Dakota volume does include a pronunciation guide and clear grammatical overview.

has flaws

this is a good dictionary but lacks some words (like full list of names for uncles) and doesn't give a full transcription regarding stops series

An excellent resource for learning the Dakota language

After searching libraries, the net, and schools for an accurate, good Dakota dictionary, I finally found this book. I was, to be blunt, amazed! Not only does it have a great listing of words (that you can actually use), but it also includes a short introduction of grammar and usage.I got to test my new skills at a recent Powwow in Minnesota, where I had an entire conversation (although slow!) with a Dakota man. Although he needed to correct me on a few words and some grammar, he was impressed. He was shocked when I told him I had only begun learning within the last six months! I could not have done it without the aid of this book! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!