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| alcheringa:1-1:the_trials_death_of_one_seven_hunter [2022/03/22 21:20] – [Overview:] copy editing kaitsass | alcheringa:1-1:the_trials_death_of_one_seven_hunter [2022/03/22 21:21] (current) – [Context:] kaitsass |
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| This selection, from a lengthy and complex text, foregrounds the poetic quality of the larger piece. Poetic lines reflect the semantic sense (content) and structure (grammar) of the language. This follows Dell Hymes' emphasis that the poetic form of oral poetry is essentially grammatical. There are no markers of how this might have been read, spoken, recited, chanted, or sung aloud. | This selection, from a lengthy and complex text, foregrounds the poetic quality of the larger piece. Poetic lines reflect the semantic sense (content) and structure (grammar) of the language. This follows Dell Hymes' emphasis that the poetic form of oral poetry is essentially grammatical. There are no markers of how this might have been read, spoken, recited, chanted, or sung aloud. |
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| An extensive introduction is contained in the 1996 Tedlock translation, reflecting a dramatic deepening of the scholarly understanding of ancient Mayan culture and their writing system. Based on his translation work and other factors, Tedlock explains that, "The authors of the alphabetic Popol Vuh were members of the three lordly lineages that once ruled the Quiché kingdom . . . They worked in the middle of the sixteenth century, and the scene of their writing was the town of Quiché, northwest of what is now Guatemala City" (25). | An extensive introduction is contained in the 1996 Tedlock translation, reflecting a dramatic deepening of the scholarly understanding of ancient Mayan culture and their writing system. Based on his translation work and other factors, Tedlock explains that, "The authors of the alphabetic //Popol Vuh// were members of the three lordly lineages that once ruled the Quiché kingdom . . . They worked in the middle of the sixteenth century, and the scene of their writing was the town of Quiché, northwest of what is now Guatemala City" (25). |
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| The source for these translations, which is now lost, was a hieroglyphic book, alternatively titled "Council Book" or "Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life" (Tedlock). The latter title emphasizes its status as a creation text. The text's origin was oral performance (see American Historical Society). It was first written in alphabetic writing by unamed Quiche', who had learned alphabetic writing from the Spanish; this version was a kind of phonetic Mayan. It was later translated into Spanish by a priest in 1701. There may also have been a hieroglyphic source, and there is some sense that hieroglyphic books may have been read in a performative way. | The source for these translations, which is now lost, was a hieroglyphic book, alternatively titled "Council Book" or "Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life" (Tedlock). The latter title emphasizes its status as a creation text. The text's origin was oral performance (see American Historical Society). It was first written in alphabetic writing by unamed Quiche', who had learned alphabetic writing from the Spanish; this version was a kind of phonetic Mayan. It was later translated into Spanish by a priest in 1701. There may also have been a hieroglyphic source, and there is some sense that hieroglyphic books may have been read in a performative way. |
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| There are several translations available in English. Here is the passage with which this Alcheringa selection begins, as translated by Dennis Tedlock in 1996: | There are several translations available in English. Here is the passage with which this //Alcheringa// selection begins, as translated by Dennis Tedlock in 1996: |
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| {{:alcheringa:1-1:popol_vuh-excerpt-tedlock_p_93.png?direct&400 |}} | {{:alcheringa:1-1:popol_vuh-excerpt-tedlock_p_93.png?direct&400 |}} |
