1. Some unique features of Black Elk’s language that stand out to me are the simpleness of the language, length of sentences and the way he talks about the dates. An example of the use of simple language “When I was older, I learned what the fighting was about that winter and the next summer.” He didn’t dilly-dally with his words or try to dress it up. He just stated what he knew, which honestly was quite refreshing. Sentences in the extract are quite long, for example the first sentence in the fourth paragraph is almost four lines long.
“I had never seen a Wasichu then, and did not know what one looked like; but every one was saying that the Wasichus were coming and that they were going to take our country and rub us all out and that we should all have to die fighting.”
The way the author talks about the dates are really interesting as I’ve never seen anything similar. For example when he explains when he was born. “I was born in the Moon of the Popping Trees (December) on the Little Powder River in the Winter When the Four Crows Were Killed (1863)…”
2. By bitten moon, I think he is referring to the half moon as it can resemble having a bite out of it. His language is very nature based and simple, based off what they actually see. Through his language, you can see quite clearly the Red Indian culture is.
3. Language communicates perception in so many different ways. You can say one thing to a whole room of people, and each individual could interpret differently. For example, the author talks about yellow metal. The locals didn’t see the value of it as the Wasichus did as it served no purpose. The yellow metal didn’t help them in any other way, whereas the Wasichus used it for materialistic purposes.
4. Black Elk’s language is more visual based, meaning that its based on what they actually see, unlike the language we use today. Our language is more abstract whereas theirs is more literal. They value nature way more than my own culture.
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