ATHAPASCAN LANGUAGES. 69 



ted to them when they are considered as mere accessories. This arbitrary- 

 change of value joined to the fact that these modifying signs sometimes pre- 

 cede, sometimes follow, the main character must unavoidably confuse the mind 

 of the beginner and render the acquisition of reading unnecessarily difficult. 



IV. — In our system, all the small signs (except o which, as its form indica- 

 tes, is zero when alone) are consonants without vowel^ and in no instance is any 

 of them used in another capacity They have always the same value, and the 

 method and logic which we have noticed in the formation of the main or syl- 

 labic signs have also presided to the composition of those which are merely 

 consonantal. Thus the non-syllabic gutturals are expressed by vertical lines 

 (\ I v); the nasals by semicircles (> c «), &c. Note also the transformation of 

 S into $, sh\ z into z, zh orj, etc. through the insertion of the i or modifying 

 h of the large characters. — The old Alphabet not only lacks this method and 

 resulting simplicity, but it would seem as if its inventor had purposedly con- 

 trived to render its acquisition unduly difficult to the white student by giving 

 to s the value of I, to z that of g, to h that of/, etc. 



V. — The new Syllabary is complete, while it is universally conceded that 

 the Crce Alphabet lacks about half a dozen sets of syllabic signs which are in- 

 dispensable in such delicate languages as the Dene. Those who know the num- 

 berless and most ridiculous contresens this scarcity leads to need no other rea- 

 son to reject the whole system as practically worthless. Besides, in connection 

 with none of its signs is there any provision for such important vowel sounds 

 as those of oe (French e muet) and u (oo, Fr. ou). Yet in several dialects (E 

 chai-acterizes the present tense and e the past, while the distinction between 

 o and u is no less essential. 



VI. — Lastly, we claim for our Syllabary a greater synthesis which renders 

 the writing shorter and, by avoiding the accumulation of non-syllabic signs, 

 makes the reading easier. For instance, the Chippewayan woid intan-cliare, 

 "leaf" which with the old syllables cannot be written without three consecu- 

 tive small signs (AnC'^'E.^) is simply [»G-S> with the new system. 



In conclusion, we may be permitted to state as illustrative of the practical 

 worth of the new Syllabary that through it Indians of common intelligence 

 h^ve learnt to read in one week's leasurcly study before they had any Primer 

 or printed matter of any kind to help them on. We even know of a young 

 man who performed the feat in the space of two evenings. 



