Alphabetical Vocabularies of the Clallum and Lummi

This listening presents a meticulous 19th‑century record of two Pacific‑Northwest languages, the speech of the Clallam people along the southern shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Lummi community near Bellingham Bay. Compiled by a field researcher attached to the Northwest Boundary Commission, the work captures the everyday lexicon of both groups as it was heard during a few months of residence in their villages.

The book is organized alphabetically, offering clear entries for each term alongside notes on pronunciation—especially the characteristic nasal “ng” and a distinctive, prolonged “a” sound that sets these tongues apart. Supplemental sections list local place names, tribal titles, and the names of Lummi chiefs, providing a broader cultural backdrop for the vocabulary.

Listeners who enjoy linguistic history, early anthropology, or the voices of peoples whose languages are now largely undocumented will find this guide both educational and immersive. The narrator’s steady reading brings the original notes to life, turning a scholarly catalogue into an accessible portrait of two vibrant indigenous cultures.