# Filippo Salvatore Gilii

Filippo Salvatore Gilii (1721–1789), also known as Felipe Salvador Gilij, was an Italian Jesuit priest and a pioneering figure in the field of South American linguistics. Gilii’s work in the province of Venezuela, particularly along the Orinoco River, laid the foundation for much of what is known about the indigenous languages and cultures of the region. His contributions to linguistics, ethnography, and the understanding of indigenous South American societies have left an indelible mark on the academic world.

## Early life and Jesuit mission

Gilii was born on July 26, 1721, in Norcia, Umbria. He joined the Society of Jesus at the age of twenty and was subsequently sent to South America as a missionary. His mission took him to Venezuela, where he worked closely with indigenous communities along the Orinoco River. During his time there, Gilii immersed himself in the study of the local languages and cultures, recognizing the importance of documenting and preserving the knowledge of these communities.

## Linguistic contributions

One of Gilii’s most significant contributions was his advanced understanding of the nature of languages. He recognized sound correspondences and suggested genealogical relationships between languages, predating the work of the renowned philologist William Jones. Unlike Jones, who proposed the idea of language families without substantial evidence, Gilii presented concrete evidence to support his hypotheses.
Gilii’s work included the identification of nine “mother languages” (lenguas matrices) spoken in the Orinoco area. His classification was one of the earliest proposals of South American language families and provided a framework for future linguistic studies in the region.

## Gilii's nine lenguas matrices

Gilii found that the languages spoken in the Orinoco area belonged to nine "mother languages", language families:
* Caribe (Cariban)
* Sáliva (Salivan)
* Maipure (Maipurean)
* Otomaca & Taparíta (Otomacoan)
* Guama & Quaquáro (Guamo)
* Guahiba (Guajiboan)
* Yaruro
* Guaraúno (Warao)
* Aruáco (Arhuacan)

## Ethnographic insights

In addition to his linguistic work, Gilii made significant contributions to the ethnographic understanding of the indigenous peoples of the Orinoco region. He meticulously documented the customs, social structures, and belief systems of various tribes, including the Tamanaco Indians. His observations provided valuable insights into the cultural diversity and complexity of these communities.
Gilii’s ethnographic work was not limited to mere observation; he actively engaged with the indigenous peoples, learning their languages and participating in their daily lives. This immersive approach allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of their worldviews and traditions, which he meticulously recorded in his writings.

## Major works

Gilii’s most notable work is "Saggio di Storia Americana, o sia Storia Naturale, Civile, e Sacra De regni, e delle provincie Spagnuole di Terra-ferma nell’ America meridionale", published in four volumes in 1780. This comprehensive work covered various aspects of the natural, civil, and sacred history of the Spanish provinces in mainland South America. It remains a crucial source of information on the ethnology and linguistics of the region.
In this work, Gilii discussed major concepts of linguistics such as areal features between unrelated languages, loanwords, word order, language death, language origins, and nursery forms of child language. His discussions on these topics were ahead of his time and laid the groundwork for future linguistic research.

## Legacy and recognition

Gilii’s contributions to linguistics and ethnography have been widely recognized and celebrated. His work provided a foundation for the study of South American languages and cultures, influencing subsequent generations of linguists and anthropologists. In 1998, the Venezuelan government issued a commemorative stamp in his honor, acknowledging his significant contributions to the understanding of the region’s indigenous heritage.
Despite the challenges he faced, including the expulsion of the Jesuits from Spanish territories in 1767, Gilii continued his scholarly work upon returning to Italy. He died in Rome in 1789, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking research and a wealth of knowledge that continues to inform and inspire scholars today.