Preface

Orthographic Note

I. Introduction

References

II. Sound Symbolism in the Mayan Language Family

Introduction

Sound Symbolism

Data and Analyses

Implications

References

III. Semantic Aspects of Yucatec Dual-Object Constructions

The Verbal Suffix -T in Yucatec

Some Syntactic Properties of -T Verb Stems

A Semantic Theory of -T Verb Stems

Implications of the Semantic Theory for Syntax and Morphology

References

IV. Chortí Semantics: Some Properties of Roots and Affixes

Contrast and the Paradigm

Linking and Nesting Relations

Personal Affixes, Grammatical Categories, and Semantic Components

Roots and Thematic Affixes: The ACT Feature

Some Derived Active Expressions

Field Testing

Some Implications and Conclusions

References

V. The Semantics of Social Categories in a Transformational Grammar of Jacaltec

Data for the Model

The Model

Explanatory Adequacy

Descriptive Adequacy

Observational Adequacy

Summary and Conclusion

References

VI. Acquisition of Botanical Terminology by Tzeltal Children

Introduction

Tzeltal Plant Taxonomy and Nomenclature

Geographical Context

Botanical Socialization

Plant Trail Task

Response Types

Summary

Developmental Trends

Development in Typical Child

Conclusion

References

VII. Cultural Significance and Lexical Retention in Tzeltal-Tzotzil Ethnobotany

Introduction

The Comparative Inventory

Analytic Categories

Cognate Sets of Tzeltal-Tzotzil Plant Names

Cultural Significance and Lexical Retention

References

VIII. Compound Place Names in Chuj and other Mayan Languages

Introduction

Sources and Identification of Chuj Place Names

The Nature of Chuj Geographical Nomenclature

Compound Chuj Place Names

Comparative Data on Compound Mayan Place Names

References

IX. Three Genres of Tzotzil Insult

Joking Insults

Ridicule and Criticism

Formal and Informal Discourses

Functional Differences

The Same Content in Different Genres

References

X. Chamula Tzotzil Proverbs: Neither Fish nor Fowl

Introduction

The Proverb in the Taxonomy of Chamula Oral Tradition

Proverbs and Contexts

Dynamic of Proverbs

Summary and Conclusions

References

XI. Semantic Universals and Particulars in Quiche

References

Index