HERMAN JANTZEN (1866-1959) WAS A LINGUIST! GROWING UP IN THE MENNONITE VILLAGE OF HANSAU, IN THE TRACT, IN SAMARA PROVINCE, RUSSIA, HE LEARNED THE LOWLAND DIALECT AT HOME, GERMAN IN SCHOOL, AND RUSSSIAN FROM HIS FATHER'S HIRED HANDS. IN 1880, HIS FATHER WAS THE LEADER OF THE FIRST WAGON TRAIN OF 10 MENNONITE FAMILIES GOING EAST, SEEKING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. FOURTEEN YEAR OLD HERMAN DROVE THE LEAD WAGON. IN KASABINSK, THE FIRST TURKESTANI CITY AND FORT, A WELL EDUCATED YOUNG SARTER, ASKED PERMISSION TO TRAVEL WITH THEM. SEATED BESIDE YOUNG HERMAN ON THE WAGON SEAT, HE BECAME THAT YOUNG MAN'S FIRST UZBECK-TURKISH LANGUAGE INSTRUCTOR!
BY THE TIME HE WAS 19, HE WAS SO FLUENT IN THAT LANGUAGE THAT THE LOCAL RULER APPOINTED HIM INTERPRETER IN THE ROYAL COURT!