In search of deliberateness in Maya glyphic texts
The extant Maya glyphic texts provide a unique window into Classic Mayan – a
grapholect used by the ancient Maya people. Research has shown that Classic Mayan
made frequent use of metaphoric and metonymic language and iconography (see Hamann, 2014; 2016; 2017).
This paper discusses a number of conceptual metaphors and metonymies identified in
Maya glyphic texts and accompanying iconography. It also investigates if any of
the non-literal expressions (plus accompanying iconography) found in monumental
inscriptions may be potentially interpreted as cases of deliberate metaphor as
defined by Steen (2010; 2013; 2015).
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Conceptual metaphor and metonymy in Classic Mayan
- 2.1Verbs of cognition in Mayan languages
- 2.2Birth and death
- 2.3Agricultural connotations in Maya culture
- 2.4Royal accession, Panel of 96 Glyphs
- 2.5The language of war
- 3.In search of deliberateness
-
Key to glosses
-
Notes
-
References
References (45)
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