Numerous features distinguish the Maya from other cultures of ancient Mesoamerica, but one that has attracted explorers and scholars for centuries is Maya Hieroglyphic Writing. While our alphabet system is based on phonetic signs, in comparison to Maya writing our system seems much simpler. Our words are formed from the combinations of only 26 signs. By contrast, all Maya words are formed by nearly a combination of 800 signs. If you want to know more about the Maya writing system, please click on the following link to get more detailed information.
http://www.ancientscripts.com/maya.html
I learned some of the Mayan symbols and the mathematical system last semester. To people unfamiliar, the Mayan system seems simple, but I agree it is very complicated. Great post Jessica! I really enjoy having my classes tie in together. What an interesting connection!
ReplyDeleteHoly crap! 800 signs! How the heck can anyone make a sentence in that language? It could take us 15 letters in different combination's to make a sentence, but 100 characters to make one of theirs. But heck, it's like any language, if you grow up in it, then it's not difficult to master.
ReplyDeleteI would hate to take that as a second language because it seem so confusing. Just looking at the different pictures and words, I couldn't grasp the concept. I guess I would have to really go to a class to learn it, it's not something I can just get on my own.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading about legendary Maya, one gets a feeling of inspiration. So many years ago, a civilization developed so many scientific wonders! In his book The Disappearance of Childhood, Postman points that the invention of the printing press and, consequently, the emergence of literate society which it produced, led to the social separation. Grown-ups and children represent the division of the society into the literate and the non-literate groups. From Neil Postman’s perspective, learning to read became an essential part of growing up. An increasing contact with the book culture of the adult world was a core component of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Education and literacy brought new ideas and assisted in the formation of the new social class. When thinking about Postman’s idea and correlating it to the unbelievable effect that was produced by 26 symbols, one can just freeze in amazement when pondering about the result that could have produced by the printing that consisted of 800 symbols that belonged to Maya civilization!
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