Hugo Schuchardt Archiv

10541 Boyden P.O.
Surry County, North Carolina,
May 1st, 1894

Dear Dr.,

I am aware of the fact that you have made an extensive study of Creolian languages, i.e. on the changes which European and other languages undergo in the mouth of people of quite different descent, e.g. Negroes, Hindus, Chinese and others.

I take the liberty of writing to you therefore, though I cannot claim the privilege of an acquaintance, in order to ask if you do not consider that my theory for the for the origin of the word “tote” may not be correct or at least plausible? My theory is that this word is merely a corrupt pronunciation of the word take. Most of the slaves were exported from Sudan and Bantu, west coast of Africa. I should like to hear some of these tribes attempt to pronounce the word take, and ascertain by experiment whether they would pronounce it “tote”.

Faithfully yours,
William Sharswoodof Philadelphia
Dr. Schuchardt
Leipzig