Tangible History: A Short Study in Mayan Languages and Writing

The distinctive characteristics that set men apart from animals have always baffled the minds of scientists and philosophers alike. Amongst these characteristics, language in and of itself remains one of the key ingredients to the puzzle. As a species, we humans have the ability to not just form distinctive sounds (like most animals can), but words—not just one set, but many; thousands of languages have existed over the centuries, each one more unique and complex than the last. The ability to communicate is as old as the human race is itself, and while we may not be able to understand every language in certainty, it does not mean we are going to stop trying.

The first written languages as a whole appeared in the Mesopotamian and Egyptian areas simultaneously about 15,000 years ago. (Coe 1992: 13) Since then, thousands have sprung—seemingly out of nothing. Languages influence and loan to each other, words that have very little change (whether in pronunciation or spelling) no matter what language they are in. (Wichman and Brown 2003: 57, Coe 1992: 50) Without spoken language, a writing system is impossible—verbalized languages are one of the key ingredients to achieving a written language. (Coe 1992: 21) And it is here that we come to perhaps one of the most important ideas about ancient peoples: without a written language, it is hard to know practically anything about ancient peoples. Without documentation, of any form, the time barriers that separate civilizations can never be fully removed.

Today, of the some 30-different ancient Mayan languages, about 28 are still spoken (the languages Chicomuceltect and Cholti being extinct). (Sharer 2006: 25, Campbell 1985: 187) Except for the Wextek speakers, occupying Veracruz, current Mayan speakers occupy the decent-sized area comprised of