Roger Williams Language

Language is the main boundary between those of the human species, it divides them, making communication difficult, seizing productivity. Language is, as best explained by Roger Williams, is a key that may be used to unlock mysteries. The early colonials of the 15th century utilized the one of the unique attributes of language, rhetoric, and its implementation into the ‘New World’ to communicate with the natives as well as their countrymen. Most notable of these colonists are William Bradford, author of Of Plymouth Plantation, and Roger Williams author of A Key to the Language of America. 193

Roger Williams is well known for being the author of the first Native American dictionary, which consisted of Narragansett words translated into English,

as well as being establishing the city of Providence, Rhode Island. He was a hardcore separatist and rejected the idea of Puritanism held by many of his fellow colonists. He used his skillfulness of the Native Languages to convert the native peoples to Christianity, which he believed, “. . . . are lost, and yet hope [to find those who] . . . . share in the blood of the Son of God”(Williams, 196). He draws many comparisons of Narragansett religious life to his own beliefs, and monopolizes this connection to convert the natives and gain their trust. Unlike Williams, William Bradford saw the ‘New World’ as a, “great hope for the propagating and advancing the gospell of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world," (Of Plymouth Plantation). Upon arrival to the ‘New World’ William Bradford used “praying-towns” (areas where Natives would gather to pray) as a rouse to swindle the indigenous people of their land. Williams believed that this was unfair and denounced the Puritans for believing the land was foreordained right to them.
These leaders of the ‘New World’ also utilized rhetoric to unite their peoples and secure their survival in this foreign land. William Bradford is the first to sign and implement the Mayflower Compact uniting the Pilgrims to form one of the first self-governing bodies of the ‘New World’. He is also responsible for dealings with the natives, and as a result was able to meet with Squanto who taught them, “. . . . how to set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities . . . .”(Bradford, 141). Bradford, during his time as governor of Plymouth Colony, established the colony’s legal code as well as make the colony one based on private subsistence agriculture. On the other hand, Roger Williams, after his banishment from Massachusetts, purchased land from the Narragansett and founded present-day Rhode Island. Williams was very tolerant, and the basis for this new colony was religious freedom; people of all minorities were welcome ranging from Baptists to Jews. This ideology of religious freedom was greatly respected by the founding fathers almost a century later, and it was on this basis the United States of America became a state separate from religion. He also played a crucial role in peace relations with the Natives (since he was proficient in their languages) and the Englishmen, and there was no trouble until the arrival of King Phillip’s War in 1675.
Ultimately, the influential leaders of the ‘New World’ were able to utilize language as a tool to accomplish their goals and secure land and their beliefs for future generations. These men understood that proper communication was crucial in order to survive in the ‘New World’ and without this skill they would have faltered in their early years of colonization. Language is the driving force of society, without it communication would not occur, progression would seize, and society would fall into a rut. If used properly, language can become a useful tool for surpassing the limits of what people are capable of and motivate us to move toward a more bright and successful future.