SENĆOŦEN; A Dictionary of the Saanich Language
by Timothy Montler


Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2018
$150.00 (U.S.) / 9780295743851

Reviewed by Andrew Cienski

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SENĆOŦEN; A Dictionary of the Saanich Language, by Timothy Montler, is the latest in a succession of Coast Salish language reference materials. It is the culmination of Montler’s and others’ collaboration with W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) nations. The 1520 page dictionary contains over 12000 SENĆOŦEN (sənčaθən, sen-cha-thun) entries arranged into a highly useable two-way English/SENĆOŦEN, SENĆOŦEN/English format. Almost all entries have accompanying example sentences, except for plant and place names.

A robust collection of place names of Saanich and surrounding territories is conveniently placed under the English entry for “place name.” These are organized according to geographical area. Similarly, plant names are listed under the English entry “plant,” which includes parts of plants (root, flower, bark, etc.) and species. The accuracy of botanical terms was verified in collaboration with the eminent Dr. Nancy Turner, and of course the Elders who constitute the primary sources of information.