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Why was squanto a native American able to communicate in English with the pilgrims?

Squanto was able to communicate with the Pilgrims in English because he had been kidnapped and taken to England by an English explorer. While in England, he learned the English language and customs.

Here's a breakdown:

* Kidnapped and Taken to England: In 1614, Squanto was captured by an English explorer named Thomas Hunt, who intended to sell him as a slave.

* Escape to Europe: Squanto escaped his captors and lived in England for a while, learning the English language.

* Return to America: He eventually returned to America on a ship in 1619.

* Encountering the Pilgrims: When Squanto arrived back in Patuxet (Plymouth, Massachusetts), he found his tribe decimated by disease. He encountered the Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1621, and his knowledge of English and of the local indigenous customs proved invaluable. He acted as a mediator, translator, and guide, helping the Pilgrims survive their first winter in the new land.

Squanto's ability to communicate with the Pilgrims made him a critical figure in the early years of the Plymouth Colony. He helped to ensure the survival of the settlement and establish a peaceful relationship between the Pilgrims and the local Native American tribes.

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