Special Language
In several groups, shamans utilized a distinctly archaic version of the normal language interlaced with special metaphors and speech styles, for example "the shadow is ripening" (the shaman is returning from his spiritual journey during a seance). Expert shamans could speak whole sentences differing from vernacular speech. Also the shamans among Asiatic Eskimos had a special language, using periphrastic substitutions for names of objects and phenomena; they used it for conversation with the (spirits). These spirits were believed to have a special language with certain substitutes for ordinary words (“the one with a drum”: shaman, “that with tusks”: walrus). The Ungazighmiit (belonging to Siberian Yupiks) had a special allegoric usage of some expressions.
Observing Sorqaq shaman's seance in a community at Thule, Peter Freuchen explains the motivation in that case:
| “ | During their seances angakoks are not allowed to mention any objects or beings by their regular names, since it could bring disaster upon the ones mentioned. | ” |
In this case, the special language was understood by the whole community, not restricted to the shaman or a few “experts”.
In some groups such variants were used when speaking with spirits invoked by the shaman, and with unsocialised babies who grew into the human society through a special ritual performed by the mother. Some writers have treated both phenomena as a language for communication with "alien" beings (mothers sometimes used similar language in a socialization ritual, in which the newborn is regarded as a little "alien" - just like spirits or animal souls). The motif of a distinction between spirit and "real" human is also present in a tale of Ungazighmiit (subgroup of Siberian Yupik)
| “ | The oldest man asked the girl: "What, are you not a spirit?" The girl answered: "I am not a spirit. Probably, are you spirits?" The oldest man said: "We are not spirits, real human" | ” |
Another interesting example of the special shamanic usage, and its contribution to relexicalization:
| “ | Relexicalization is commonly found in cases where native terms were restricted in use, as in old shamanic terms, or became obsolète as a resuit of modernization or technological changes. Thus, in West Greenlandic, an old shamanic term agiaq 'rubbing stone' has become 'violin.' | ” |
Read more about this topic: Shamanism Among Eskimo Peoples
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