284 FiEi.i) Columbian Museum — Boianv, Vol.. i, 



MAYA NAMES. 



The Maya language appears to be mainly based upon imitation 

 of sounds. This is particularly true in names given to animals, and 

 somewhat so in plant appellations, the latter are, in most instances 

 however, descriptive of evident characters, odors or uses. 



The Maya literal sounds are substantially as follows: 



A like a in f(?ther. J like h in //otel. 



B like p in la/. K hard as in A'ate. 



C hard as in crate. O long as in d^te. 



D like /. U like 00 in hooi. 



E like a in fate. X like sk in show. 



H nearl}' silent before consonants. Y like e in ^ar. 



I like c in bee. Z like i- in ^'usan. 



like tz. 



All sounds tend to the deep laryngeal, extended to considerable 

 length. 



I'RONUNCIATION. 



Uoupek = Uutz-uu-pake. Xmuch-COC — Shmooch-coke. 



Xtuhuy=:Shtew-uue. Piin = Peem. 



Xnioox = Shnee-tzosh. Lab= Lahp. 



