Grace McKibbin grew up within that old world, and until her death in 1987 she still loved to speak Wintu-a language whose subtleties and complexities have long tantalized linguists. In the last years of her life she shared her prodigious knowledge with linguist Alice Shepherd, dictating a large body of songs, stories, and reminiscences in the Wintu language. Currently, there are only two native speakers of the Wintu language still alive, making the recording of these materials even more invaluable.
_In My Own Words_ presents a selection of 19 authentic, extraordinary, and often humorous tales, translated into readable and enjoyable English prose and accompanied by important background information on the language's structure and storytelling devices. The original Wintu words are preserved as well, allowing even the nonlinguist to catch something of the flavor and sound, the flexibility, exactitude, and fine nuances of Wintu language and thought.
