Understanding Classical Mayan Hieroglyphics: How Mayan Writing Works

Classical Mayan Hieroglyphics A native American writing system

Classical Mayan Heiroglyphs Screen shot 2010-07-12 at 1.36.59 PM.png Typically dated 300- 900AD (though the Empire lasted longer) hiero-glyphs stone- writing. Mayans wrote on things other than stone; but their hieroglyphs remain. Many Mayan communities remain, and speak languages descended from Classical Mayan. Courtesy Nova Cracking the Maya Code , PBS

How does Mayan Writing Work? Screen shot 2010-07-12 at 1.46.49 PM.png logo-syllabic logo = word About 500 glyphs that each represent a word: dog syllabic The remaining glyphs used to spell syllables (sequences of a consonant followed by a vowel). rebus principle Use a word-glyph for its sound rather than it s meaning i.e. l8ter Courtesy Omniglot omniglot.com

How does Mayan Writing Work? Screen shot 2010-07-12 at 1.46.49 PM.png syllabary one or more glyph per syllable The Mayan syllabary is special lots of ways to write some sounds. Five different ways to write a (as in saw ) Scribes picked glyphs for their aesthetic value, or to fit with other nearby glyphs. Mayan writing was artistic as well as communicative. Courtesy Omniglot omniglot.com

Vowel Alert Mayan had five vowels as Spanish does. Omniglot assumes the Spanish vowel pronunciations. Here they are: a = as in saw e = as in say i = as in see o = as in so u = as in sue

Write Your Name in Mayan! Go to omniglot s page on the Mayan script. http://www.omniglot.com/writing/mayan.htm Find the syllabic glyphs you need for your name. If you can. Mayan did not have all the sounds of English! Pick the syllable that sounds closest to what you need. If your name has a syllable that ends in a consonant, you ll need to pick a glyph for any syllable that begins with that (or a similar) consonant don t worry about the stray vowel! Arrange the glyphs in the correct order. Mayan was written in columns: two glyphs at a time. Each pair was read left-to-right. Read the pairs from top-to-bottom.

Example: Amy Pick the glyphs for each syllable: e (as in say ) Lots of choices! I like this e : And this mi : Arranged left-to- right: mi (as in me )

Harder Fountain No f ! So, I ll pick a Mayan consonant that sounds close Mayan Consonants b, ch, ch , h, k, k , l, m, n, p, p , s, t, t , tz, tz , w, x (x sounds like sh ) I like p for f . (no right or wrong answer here). No ou but that s OK ou is a diphthong a blend of the vowels a and u . So, I ve got pa + u Now I need an n so I ll pick a syllable that begins with n na . Then ta , then na . The whole thing? pa + u + na + ta + na

pa+u+na+ta+na pa u na ta

The Amy Fountain Stele

Now, you try it! Select your glyphs Use matching syllables if they exist Otherwise, find something that sounds close Arrange them in a column, two at a time Going left to right in pairs Then top to bottom. The Mayan system allows lots of creativity you can make several stele for the same sequence of sounds.

Using Mayan to write Mayan I ve just used Mayan hieroglyphs to write my name which is an English name, not Mayan words. You ll view the documentary Cracking the Mayan Code to learn about the history of using Mayan to write (and read) Mayan. Today, scholars can read classical Mayan writing quite well; More importantly, some contemporary Mayan communities are using this system to write modern Mayan languages.

Key Ideas Writing systems are made of glyphs with represent something In this case, the glyphs we used represent syllables Any writing system can be used to write any spoken language sort of. Each language uses its own set of sounds. Each language has its own rules for syllables. So, you might have to adjust a bit. The Classical Mayan system represents one of perhaps 3 independent inventions of writing in human history. Challenge Problem: If you enjoyed this exercise, find the Cherokee Syllabary and see if you can do the same thing!

Puzzle What does this mean?