Algonquian–Basque pidgin should not be confused with Belle Isle Pidgin.
| Algonquian–Basque pidgin | |
| Also Known As: | Souriquois |
| Region: | Gulf of St. Lawrence |
| Era: | 16th to 18th century |
| Familycolor: | pidgin |
| Family: | Basque-based pidgin |
| Iso3: | none |
| Glotto: | basq1252 |
| Glottorefname: | Basque-Amerindian Pidgin |
| Map: | Basques Newfoundland.gif |
| Mapcaption: | Basque and Breton fishing sites in 16th and 17th centuries. |
| Ethnicity: | Basques, local Algonquian peoples |
| Linglist: | qba |
Algonquian–Basque pidgin, also known as Souriquois,[1] is a Basque-based pidgin proposed by linguist Peter Bakker to have been spoken by Basque whalers and various Algonquian peoples. It was spoken around the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It was in use from at least 1580 until 1635,[1] and was last attested in 1711.[2]
There were three groups of First Nations that the Basque people distinguished. The ones with which they had good relations were the Montagnais and the St. Lawrence Iroquoians. They also knew of the Inuit, whom they considered hostile. The Basque people referred to them as the Montaneses, the Canaleses, and the Esquimoas, respectively.[3]
| Pidgin | Original language | English translation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creoles and pidgins: Normandia | Basque: Normandia (Basque), 'Normandy' | French | |
| Creoles and pidgins: kir | Mi'kmaq; Micmac: kir (Mi'kmaq) | you | |
| Creoles and pidgins: ania | Basque: anaia (Basque) | brother | |
| Creoles and pidgins: capitana | Basque: capitaina (Basque), Basque: kapitaina in Standard Basque | captain | |
| Creoles and pidgins: endia | Basque: andia (Basque), Basque: handia in Standard Basque | large | |
| Creoles and pidgins: chave | Romance languages: chave (Romance) | know | |
| Creoles and pidgins: ouias | Creoles and pidgins: wiya:s (Innu-aimun) | meat | |
| Creoles and pidgins: amiscou | Creoles and pidgins: amisku (Innu-aimun) | beaver |