Maya for Travelers and Students »

The Yucatan Peninsula draws many North American and European travelers each year to view the ruins of the pre-Columbian Classical Maya civilization and the abundant native flora and fauna. For these travelers, as well as armchair travelers and students, Gary Bevington has prepared the first general English-language introduction to Yucatec Maya, the native language of the people indigenous to the region.

Written in nontechnical terms for learners who have a basic knowledge of simple Mexican Spanish, the book presents easily understood, practical information for anyone who would like to communicate with the Maya in their native language. In addition to covering the pronunciation and grammar of Maya, Bevington includes invaluable tips on learning indigenous languages "in the field." Most helpful are his discussions of the cultural and material worlds of the Maya, accompanied by essential words and expressions for common objects and experiences. A Maya-English-Spanish glossary with extensive usage examples and an English-Maya glossary conclude the book.

Preface vii Introduction 1
1. Learning Indigenous Languages 10
2. Maya and Spanish 15
3. Pronunciation and Spelling 20
4. Grammar 29
5. How to Talk about Things 52
6. Some Final Thoughts 94
7. Further Reading 98
Glossary 107
I\laya-English-Spanish Vocabulary 110
English-Maya Vocabulary 190
Index 237