Fr. Barnum on Linguistic Research Rev. Francis Barnum, S.J.,
(1849 -1921) was, at various times, a world traveler, Alaska
missionary, student of Inuit linguistics, and the first to
attempt to manage the Georgetown University Archives. Though we
had a place called the archives as early as 1816, Barnum appears
to be the first to systematically collect and arrange historical
material in the archives; this he did in a strikingly modern
manner, though his work was often interrupted by postings to
other Jesuit communities. A man of rare wit and good humor, it
was said that he was sometimes reassigned with the express
purpose of cheering up the other community. Thus for the benefit
of anyone suffering from mid-winter cabin fever, or a surfeit of
term papers, we hope that a small dose of Barnum on the perils
of research might bring a welcome smile. Difficulty of the
Native Language On arriving in Alaska, the first thing the
missionary has to do, is to learn the language of the district
in which he is stationed. It is