When the Dutch West India Company asked people to settle in New Netherland, they directed them to establish a fur trade with the Natives. There is no evidence of any training or preparation for this task, and achieving this goal would be challenging. Some difficulties include being unfamiliar with Natives and their customs, not knowing what types of furs they would be trading, not understanding the Natives’ language, and having no currency to trade with.

Even though they had no training, the settlers succeeded at this venture. Catalyntje Trico briefly mentions this duty in one of her depositions. She said, “The Indians were all as quiet as lambs and came and traded with all ye freedom imaginable.” 

The settlers of New Netherland were successful in their trade endeavors for the Company, and Dutch eventually became the official language of trade with the Natives.

How would you communicate with someone who spoke a different language than yourself?