Description

Book Synopsis

An essential book on California’s Indigenous languages, updated for the first time in over 25 years.

Before outsiders arrived, about one hundred distinct Indigenous languages were spoken in California, and many of them are in use today. Since its original publication in 1994, Flutes of Fire has become one of the classic books about California’s many Native languages. It is written to be approachable, entertaining, and informative—useful for people doing language revitalization work in their own communities, for linguists, and for a general readership interested in California’s rich cultural heritage. With significant updates by the author, this is the first new edition of Flutes of Fire in over 25 years. New chapters highlight the exciting efforts of language activists in recent times, as well as contemporary writing in several of California’s Native languages. Both a practical guide and a joy to read, Flutes of Fire is an essential book for anyone who cares about the Indigenous languages of California and their flourishing for many generations to come.



Table of Contents
Contents

Introduction: The California Mosaic
1. California’s First Languages

Part I: California Languages at Work and Play: Four Portraits
2. Song: Overcoming the Language Barrier
3. Coyote Talk
4. Upriver, Downriver: The Vocabulary of Direction
5. Language and the Structure of Thought

Part II: Language and History
6. What Language Can Tell us about History
7. Native Californian Names on the Land
8. History Through the Words Brought to California by the Fort Ross Colony (by Robert L. Oswalt)

Part III: Words
9. California Counting
10. Specialized Vocabulary in the Languages of California
11. “Slapping with the Mouth” and Other Interesting Words: Instrumental Prefixes in Kashaya
12. Men’s and Women’s Talk
13. Songs Without Words

Part IV: Language and Dominion
14. On the Origin of California Tribal Names
15. A Pinenut by Any Other Name
16. Languages Under Attack (with Vera Mae Fredrickson)

Part V: Writing and Documentation
17. Writing Systems
18. Ashes, Ashes: John Peabody Harrington—Then and Now

Part VI: New Speakers Carry the Torch
19. Rebuilding the Fire: Tribes Working Together to Save Their Languages
20. Stories of Language Reclamation
21. In Our Own Words

Acknowledgments
Appendix: Reference Guide to Linguistic Symbols
Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Flutes of Fire: An Introduction to Native

    Product form

    £18.04

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £18.99 – you save £0.95 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Mon 17 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Leanne Hinton

    Out of stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Flutes of Fire: An Introduction to Native by Leanne Hinton

      Publisher: Heyday Books
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 08/09/2022
      ISBN13: 9781597145664, 978-1597145664
      ISBN10: 1597145661

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      An essential book on California’s Indigenous languages, updated for the first time in over 25 years.

      Before outsiders arrived, about one hundred distinct Indigenous languages were spoken in California, and many of them are in use today. Since its original publication in 1994, Flutes of Fire has become one of the classic books about California’s many Native languages. It is written to be approachable, entertaining, and informative—useful for people doing language revitalization work in their own communities, for linguists, and for a general readership interested in California’s rich cultural heritage. With significant updates by the author, this is the first new edition of Flutes of Fire in over 25 years. New chapters highlight the exciting efforts of language activists in recent times, as well as contemporary writing in several of California’s Native languages. Both a practical guide and a joy to read, Flutes of Fire is an essential book for anyone who cares about the Indigenous languages of California and their flourishing for many generations to come.



      Table of Contents
      Contents

      Introduction: The California Mosaic
      1. California’s First Languages

      Part I: California Languages at Work and Play: Four Portraits
      2. Song: Overcoming the Language Barrier
      3. Coyote Talk
      4. Upriver, Downriver: The Vocabulary of Direction
      5. Language and the Structure of Thought

      Part II: Language and History
      6. What Language Can Tell us about History
      7. Native Californian Names on the Land
      8. History Through the Words Brought to California by the Fort Ross Colony (by Robert L. Oswalt)

      Part III: Words
      9. California Counting
      10. Specialized Vocabulary in the Languages of California
      11. “Slapping with the Mouth” and Other Interesting Words: Instrumental Prefixes in Kashaya
      12. Men’s and Women’s Talk
      13. Songs Without Words

      Part IV: Language and Dominion
      14. On the Origin of California Tribal Names
      15. A Pinenut by Any Other Name
      16. Languages Under Attack (with Vera Mae Fredrickson)

      Part V: Writing and Documentation
      17. Writing Systems
      18. Ashes, Ashes: John Peabody Harrington—Then and Now

      Part VI: New Speakers Carry the Torch
      19. Rebuilding the Fire: Tribes Working Together to Save Their Languages
      20. Stories of Language Reclamation
      21. In Our Own Words

      Acknowledgments
      Appendix: Reference Guide to Linguistic Symbols
      Bibliography
      Index
      About the Author

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account