Nahuatl Query: Nahui Olin

[galen brokaw]

Matt,
"Nahui" means "four" and "ollin" means movement. The phrase "nahui ollin"
or "four movement" is the name--derived from the calendar, and
represented in the Aztec Sun Stone--of the fifth world age of
Mesoamerican history.
I believe that the correct spelling of ollin is with a double l to
represent a long l, and without the accent. I think that the influence of
the Spanish diminutive "i'n" with an accent is responsable for the misuse
of the written accent in your source. With very few exceptions the natural
accent in Nahuatl words falls on the second to last syllable, so ollin
wouldn't need a written accent according to the rules of Spanish
accentuation.

Galen Brokaw


On Mon, 22 Mar 1999, Matthew J. McDonald wrote:

> Monday, March 22, 1999
> c.  6:40 p.m.  EST
>
>
>         I am looking for an English translation of the following Nahuatl
> words:  Nahui Olin.
>
>         The "Olin" has an acute accent over the i [diagonal, from lower
> left to upper right].
>
>         My mother is copy editing a book on Latin American art, and the
> words have come up.
>
>         I would greatly appreciate any help anyone can give me.  Please
> respond by private email to cuchulainn at compuserve.com.
>
>
>                                                 Slainte,
>
>
>
>                                                 Matt McDonald
>