Algonquian–Basque pidgin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Algonquian–Basque pidgin
Region	Gulf of Saint Lawrence
Era	16th to 18th century
Language family	Basque-based pidgin
Basque (both French and Spanish) and Breton fishing sites in 16th and 17th centuries.

Algonquian–Basque pidgin, also known as Souriquois, was a Basque-based pidgin 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, and was last attested in 1711.

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.

Vocabulary

Sample phrases

See also

In Spanish: Pidgin vasco-algonquino para niños

• Basque–Icelandic pidgin