Early Indigenous Literatures

Use of language as connection as well as political diplomacy and war

Tusee demonstrates her prowess with political maneuvering at a young age through deploying language. Here she knows the language because this uncle was previously a captive. Knowing the language simultaneously gives her a space of power through connection to potential enemy communications (as we see later in her speaking in the enemy's language when she is rescuing her lover). Language learning, here, takes on another significance as well since the child is demonstrating how language can be used as a way to honor and feel connected with other community members--she uses "the man's own tongue" here specifically to thank him and express her "sheer excess of glee" (Bonnin 141).

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