On the Evolution of Language First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 1-16 By: John Wesley Powell (1834-1902)
John Wesley Powell's report on the evolution of language in the Bureau of Ethnology's first annual report to the Smithsonian Institution is a thorough and thought-provoking analysis of the development of language among different cultures. Powell delves into the origins of language, its symbolism, and the role it plays in shaping human society. He discusses the various methods used by different groups to communicate, highlighting the diversity and complexity of human language. Powell's research is meticulous and detailed, drawing on a wide range of sources to present a comprehensive overview of the subject. His writing is clear and accessible, making complex linguistic concepts easy to understand for the layperson. The report is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history and evolution of language, providing valuable insights into the ways in which language has shaped human culture and society. Overall, Powell's report is a fascinating and informative read that sheds light on the origins and development of language. His thorough research and insightful analysis make this a must-read for anyone interested in linguistics, anthropology, or the human experience. First Page: [Transcriber's Note: The paragraph beginning "In Ute the name for bear is he seizes " will only display correctly in Latin 1 file encoding. Everything else in the article should look exactly the same on all computers or text readers.] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY. J. W. Powell, Director. ON THE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGE, As Exhibited In The Specialization of the Grammatic Processes, the Differentiation of the Parts of Speech, and the Integration of the Sentence; From a Study of Indian Languages. By J. W. POWELL. ON THE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGE Possible ideas and thoughts are vast in number. A distinct word for every distinct idea and thought would require a vast vocabulary. The problem in language is to express many ideas and thoughts with comparatively few words. Again, in the evolution of any language, progress is from a condition where few ideas are expressed by a few words to a higher, where many ideas are expressed by the use of many words; but the number of all possible ideas or thoughts expressed is increased greatly out of proportion with the increase of the number of words... Continue reading book >>

On the Evolution of Language First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 1-16 By: John Wesley Powell (1834-1902)

John Wesley Powell's report on the evolution of language in the Bureau of Ethnology's first annual report to the Smithsonian Institution is a thorough and thought-provoking analysis of the development of language among different cultures. Powell delves into the origins of language, its symbolism, and the role it plays in shaping human society. He discusses the various methods used by different groups to communicate, highlighting the diversity and complexity of human language.

Powell's research is meticulous and detailed, drawing on a wide range of sources to present a comprehensive overview of the subject. His writing is clear and accessible, making complex linguistic concepts easy to understand for the layperson. The report is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history and evolution of language, providing valuable insights into the ways in which language has shaped human culture and society.

Overall, Powell's report is a fascinating and informative read that sheds light on the origins and development of language. His thorough research and insightful analysis make this a must-read for anyone interested in linguistics, anthropology, or the human experience.

First Page:

[Transcriber's Note:

The paragraph beginning "In Ute the name for bear is he seizes " will only display correctly in Latin 1 file encoding. Everything else in the article should look exactly the same on all computers or text readers.]

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.

J. W. Powell, Director.

ON THE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGE,

As Exhibited In

The Specialization of the Grammatic Processes, the Differentiation of the Parts of Speech, and the Integration of the Sentence; From a Study of Indian Languages.

J. W. POWELL.

ON THE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGE

Possible ideas and thoughts are vast in number. A distinct word for every distinct idea and thought would require a vast vocabulary. The problem in language is to express many ideas and thoughts with comparatively few words.

Again, in the evolution of any language, progress is from a condition where few ideas are expressed by a few words to a higher, where many ideas are expressed by the use of many words; but the number of all possible ideas or thoughts expressed is increased greatly out of proportion with the increase of the number of words... Continue reading book >>

Book sections
Illustration Of The Method Of Recording Indian Languages From the First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, Smithsonian Institution	A Study of Pueblo Pottery as Illustrative of Zuñi Culture Growth. Fourth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1882-83, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1886, pages 467-522	Navajo Silversmiths Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1880-1881, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1883, pages 167-178
Indian Linguistic Families Of America, North Of Mexico Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1885-1886, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1891, pages 1-142	Casa Grande Ruin Thirteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1891-92, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1896, pages 289-318	The Repair Of Casa Grande Ruin, Arizona, in 1891 Fifteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1893-94, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1897, pages 315-348
Throwing-sticks in the National Museum Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1883-'84, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1890, pages 279-289	Navajo weavers Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology	Animal Carvings from Mounds of the Mississippi Valley Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1880-81, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1883, pages 117-166
Navaho Houses, pages 469-518 Seventeenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1895-1896, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1898	Illustrated Catalogue of the Collections Obtained from the Indians of New Mexico in 1880Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology	Illustrated Catalogue Of The Collections Obtained From The Indians Of New Mexico And Arizona In 1879Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology
On the Evolution of Language First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 1-16	The Seminole Indians of Florida Fifth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1883-84, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1887, pages 469-532	The Mide'wiwin or "Grand Medicine Society" of the Ojibwa Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1885-1886, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1891, pages 143-300
Illustrated Catalogue of the Collections Obtained from the Pueblos of Zuñi, New Mexico, and Wolpi, Arizona, in 1881Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology	The Cliff Ruins of Canyon de Chelly, Arizona Sixteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1894-95, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1897, pages 73-198	Aids to the Study of the Maya Codices Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1884-85, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1888, pages 253-372
A Study of Pueblo Architecture: Tusayan and Cibola Eighth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1886-1887, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1891, pages 3-228	Form and Ornament in Ceramic Art	Aboriginal Remains in Verde Valley, Arizona Thirteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1891-92, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1896, pages 179-262
Zuñi Fetiches Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1880-1881, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1883, pages 3-45	Notes on Certain Maya and Mexican Manuscripts Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1881-82, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1884, pages 3-66	Eighth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1886-1887, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1891
The Mountain Chant, A Navajo Ceremony Fifth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1883-84, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1887, pages 379-468	Sketch of the Mythology of the North American Indians First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 17-56	Studies in Central American Picture-Writing First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 205-245
The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1885-1886, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1891, pages 301-398	Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1885-1886, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1891	Ancient art of the province of Chiriqui, Colombia Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1884-1885, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1888, pages 3-188
First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution 1879-1880, Government Printing Office 1881

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Languages

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