Clarification on 'squaw'

Last week's story on the effort to change the name of Squaw Creek noted that "According to most sources, the word 'squaw' -- in one Native American language -- is a vulgar anatomical reference and derogatory term for a native woman," ("New name coming for Squaw Creek," by Craig F. Eisenbeis, The Nugget, Wednesday, June 4).

According to several prominent linguists, the etymology of "squaw" is "innocent" -- it was derived from an Eastern Algonquian word meaning simply "female" or "young woman."

According to these sources, the word has no relation to the female anatomy. It has, however, become a derogatory term. That may, in itself, be deemed sufficient reason to eliminate the use of the word in geographic and placenames.

John Koontz of the University of Colorado states that, "the difficulty with squaw is that it is associated with a discriminatory attitude toward Indian people and sometimes by extension toward women generally."

The linguist offers a means for individuals to "test" their own tolerance for the use of the word:

"There are some tests that might help clarify matters for you if you believe you are not bothered by squaw. One thing would be to ask yourself if you would feel comfortable referring to a woman you knew with the term. The reference has to be understood as essentially serious, since humor often permits, or at least obscures, insulting usages.

"Another test would be to consider whether you would willingly use the term, or an expression including it, in front of someone you knew to be an Indian. If you think you would avoid the term in these contexts, you might want to reconsider the proposition that squaw is inoffensive in placenames and other fixed expressions."

More information is available at Koontz's website: www.spot.colorado.edu/~koontz/default.htm.