Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1854 - 1880 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 folder handwritten manuscript
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Karl Hugo Hahn was a Baltic German missionary and linguist who worked in South Africa and South-West Africa for most of his life. Together with Franz Heinrich Kleinschmidt, he set up the first Rhenish mission station to the Herero people in Gross Barmen. Hahn is known for his scientific work on the Herero language.
Repository
Archival history
The originator of the manuscript is unknown. It was given to Sir Bartle Frere in January 1880.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The material was presented to the Royal Asiatic Society by Sir Bartle Frere.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
An English translation of "Entwurf einer Grammatik der Herero Sprache", the work by Karl Hugo Hahn, that was supposed to be undertaken with the linguist Wilhelm Bleek. As this was not possible, due to circumstances, Hahn delivered his own version of the book to Riga in 1854. It is the first grammar of the Herero language spoken by the Herero people in Southern Africa.
The manuscript of 208 pages is heavily corrected and the translator is not identified. There is a note on a torn piece of paper which states "Presented ... Sir Bartle Frere K.G.C.B., C.S.I. by the Translator, Cape Town, January 19th 1880.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
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Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open. Please contact the archivist. Details can be found here : https://royalasiaticarchives.org/. The archive is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-5, and Thursdays 2-5. Access is to any researcher without appointment but it will help if an appointment is made via phone or email. Please bring photo ID.
Conditions governing reproduction
Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.
Language of material
- English
- German
- her
Script of material
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Finding aids
Allied materials area
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Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
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Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Hahn Karl Hugo 1818-1895 (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
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Archivist's note
This material was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2022.